The Birch at Sutherland in Sutherland, NE was fined $50,025 by CMS following 41 deficiency citations identified during federal surveys.

The Birch at Sutherland (Sutherland, NE) — $50,025 in CMS Fines

Outcome: The Birch at Sutherland in Sutherland, NE was fined $50,025 by CMS following 41 deficiency citations identified during federal surveys.

Deficiency areas cited:

• Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.


• Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.


• Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.


• Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.


• Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.


• Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.


• Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.


• Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.