Inspection Report Summary
The most recent inspection on January 2, 2025, found deficiencies related to nursing assessments, oversight of nursing personnel, and timely emergent care for a client, including delayed hospital transport and untreated pain. Earlier inspections showed similar issues with failure to identify and document changes in client condition, inadequate personal care, and incomplete medication documentation. Complaint investigations substantiated failures in nursing assessments, care plan adherence, and communication of condition changes, but enforcement actions such as fines or license suspensions were not listed in the available reports. Most complaints prior to 2025 were unsubstantiated or involved less extensive deficiencies. The inspection history indicates ongoing challenges with nursing oversight and timely care, with no clear pattern of improvement in recent years.
Deficiencies (last 6 years)
Deficiencies (over 6 years)
1.8 deficiencies/year
Deficiencies are regulatory violations found during state inspections.
68% better than Connecticut average
Connecticut average: 5.6 deficiencies/yearDeficiencies per year
4
3
2
1
0
Census
Latest occupancy rate
72 residents
Based on a May 2022 inspection.
Census over time
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Deficiencies: 2
Date: Jan 2, 2025
Visit Reason
An unannounced visit was made to Bridges By Epoch At Norwalk on January 2, 2025, by a representative of the Facility Licensing and Investigations Section of the Department of Public Health for the purpose of conducting a complaint investigation survey.
Complaint Details
Complaint #42314. The complaint investigation found substantiated failures in nursing assessments, oversight, and timely emergent care for Client #1, including delayed hospital transport and inadequate documentation of change in condition.
Findings
The Assisted Living Services Agency (ALSA) failed to conduct Registered Nurse assessments as often as necessary based on a client's condition, failed to provide oversight of assigned nursing personnel and aides, and failed to meet a client's emergent care needs timely. The client had multiple health issues and was found with an open wound and bruising, with delayed hospital transport and inadequate change of condition assessments.
Deficiencies (2)
Failure to conduct Registered Nurse assessments as often as necessary based on a client's condition and failure to provide oversight of assigned nursing personnel and aides.
Failure to meet a client's emergent care needs timely, resulting in delayed hospital transport and untreated pain.
Report Facts
Complaint number: 42314
Dates related to client care: Aug 23, 2024
Dates related to client care: Aug 25, 2024
Assessment interval: 120
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Heiney | Supervising Nurse Consultant | Author of the letter regarding the complaint investigation and plan of correction instructions |
| Gina Cambre | Executive Director | Facility Executive Director named in the letter and interview regarding client care |
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Deficiencies: 2
Date: Jan 2, 2025
Visit Reason
An unannounced visit was conducted on January 2, 2025, by the Department of Public Health for the purpose of conducting a complaint investigation survey at Bridges By Epoch At Norwalk.
Complaint Details
Complaint #42314 triggered the investigation. The complaint involved Client #1's change in condition, pain complaints, and delayed hospital transport. The findings substantiated failures in nursing assessments and timely care.
Findings
The Assisted Living Services Agency (ALSA) failed to conduct timely Registered Nurse assessments, provide oversight of nursing personnel and aides, and meet a client's emergent care needs. Client #1 experienced delayed response to pain complaints and was eventually transported to the hospital with wounds and bruising. The agency failed to identify changes in the client's condition and communicate them timely.
Deficiencies (2)
Failure to conduct Registered Nurse assessments as necessary based on client condition and failure to provide oversight of nursing personnel and aides.
Failure to meet a client's emergent care needs timely, resulting in delayed hospital transport and untreated pain.
Report Facts
Dates of nurse notes: 2
Date of EMS report: Aug 25, 2024
Client 120-day assessment date: Apr 1, 2024
Plan of correction submission deadline: Jan 25, 2025
Plan of correction completion dates: 3
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Heiney | Supervising Nurse Consultant | Author of the letter and contact for plan of correction response. |
| Gina Cambre | Executive Director | Facility Executive Director named in the letter and plan of correction responsibilities. |
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Deficiencies: 0
Date: Jan 2, 2025
Visit Reason
The inspection was conducted as a complaint investigation related to Complaint Investigation #42314.
Complaint Details
Complaint Investigation #42314 was the basis for the visit. Violations were substantiated as indicated by the checked box and attached violation letter.
Findings
Violations of the General Statutes of Connecticut and/or regulations of Connecticut State Agencies were identified at the time of this inspection, as noted in an attached violation letter dated 2025-01-15.
Report Facts
Complaint Investigation Number: 42314
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Megan Edson-Sawyer | Survey Team Leader | Named as Survey Team Leader for the inspection |
| Elizabeth Heiney | Supervisor | Named as Supervisor for the inspection |
| Gina Cambre | Executive Director | Personnel contacted during the inspection |
| Brittany Pettway | SALSA | Personnel contacted during the inspection |
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Deficiencies: 2
Date: Sep 26, 2024
Visit Reason
An unannounced visit was made to Bridges By Epoch At Norwalk on September 26, 2024, by a representative of the Facility Licensing and Investigations Section of the Department of Public Health for the purpose of conducting an investigation related to complaint CT #39625.
Complaint Details
Complaint CT #39625 triggered the investigation. The complaint involved failure to follow change in status policy and service plan for Client #1. Substantiation status is not explicitly stated.
Findings
The investigation found that the Assisted Living Services Agency (ALSA) failed to follow the agency's Change in Status policy and failed to follow the service plan for one client. Specifically, ALSA aides did not identify or document a client's change in condition, did not provide appropriate personal care, and failed to notify the physician and responsible party as required. The agency provided plans of correction including re-training of staff and monitoring quality assessments.
Deficiencies (2)
Failure to identify and document Client #1's change in condition on 05/08/2024 in accordance with agency policy.
Failure of ALSA aides to follow the service plan for Client #1, including assistance with personal care and incontinence prior to hospital transfer.
Report Facts
Date of inspection: Sep 26, 2024
Client admission date: Feb 14, 2024
Hospital summary date: May 8, 2024
Client return date: May 16, 2024
Assessment and service plan date: Jun 11, 2024
Plan of correction submission deadline: Oct 19, 2024
Completion date for re-training SALSA: Oct 24, 2024
Completion date for LPN education: Oct 28, 2024
Completion date for Assisted Living Aide education: Oct 28, 2024
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth T. Heiney | Supervising Nurse Consultant | Signed letter and contact for response regarding violations |
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Deficiencies: 3
Date: Sep 26, 2024
Visit Reason
The inspection was conducted as a complaint investigation related to violations of Connecticut State Agencies regulations concerning assisted living services.
Complaint Details
The visit was complaint-related under Complaint Investigation #39625. Violations were identified and substantiated related to failure to follow policies and provide adequate care to Client #1.
Findings
The Assisted Living Services Agency (ALSA) failed to follow its Change in Status policy for one client, including failure to document changes in the client's condition and provide appropriate care such as grooming, hygiene, and incontinence care. Interviews and record reviews revealed inadequate assistance by ALSA aides and failure to identify changes in the client's condition in accordance with agency policy.
Deficiencies (3)
Failure to follow the agency's Change in Status policy for a client with a change in condition.
Failure to identify and document the client's change in condition in clinical records.
Failure of ALSA aides to provide proper assistance with grooming, hygiene, and incontinence care prior to hospital transfer.
Report Facts
Complaint Investigation Number: 39625
Client Admission Date: Feb 14, 2024
Assessment and Service Plan Date: Jun 11, 2024
Hospital Summary Date: May 8, 2024
Interview Date and Time: Sep 26, 2024
Nursing Note Dates: Nursing notes dated May 2, 5, 7, and 8, 2024.
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Megan Edson-Sawyer | Nurse Consultant and Survey Team Leader | Conducted the inspection and submitted the report. |
| Gina Cambre | Executive Director | Interviewed regarding Client #1's nursing notes and agency investigation. |
| Brittany Pettway | Supervisor of Assisted Living Services Agency (SALSA) | Interviewed regarding Client #1's nursing notes and agency investigation. |
Inspection Report
Renewal
Census: 72
Deficiencies: 0
Date: May 12, 2022
Visit Reason
The inspection visit was conducted as a licensing inspection and renewal of the facility license, including verification of Alzheimer's special care units and infection prevention requirements.
Findings
No violations of the General Statutes of Connecticut or regulations were identified at the time of this inspection. The facility was approved for issuance of license renewal.
Report Facts
Memory care clients: 58
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Michael J. Smith | Nurse Consultant | Report submitted by |
| Addie Ricci | Ex Director | Personnel contacted during inspection |
| Coree Baker | SALSA | Personnel contacted during inspection |
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Deficiencies: 0
Date: Oct 13, 2021
Visit Reason
The inspection visit was conducted as a complaint investigation related to Complaint Investigation #30959.
Complaint Details
Complaint Investigation #30959 was reviewed, and the complaint was not substantiated as no violations were found.
Findings
No violations of the General Statutes of Connecticut and/or regulations of Connecticut State Agencies were identified at the time of this inspection.
Report Facts
Complaint Investigation Number: 30959
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Addie Ricci | Ex Director | Personnel contacted during the inspection |
| Brook Morgan | SUA | Personnel contacted during the inspection |
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Deficiencies: 1
Date: Jun 9, 2021
Visit Reason
An unannounced visit was made to Bridges By Epoch At Norwalk on June 9, 2021 by a representative of the Facility Licensing and Investigations Section of the Department of Public Health for the purpose of conducting an investigation triggered by a complaint.
Complaint Details
Complaint CT #30149 was the basis for the investigation. No practitioner referrals were anticipated at the time of the report.
Findings
The investigation identified violations related to missed medication doses within the Medication Administration Record (MAR) and failure to retain a complete service record. Specifically, nursing staff failed to document medication administration properly and hourly safety checks were not documented as required. Additionally, an incident involving a client swinging detached wheelchair legs causing injury to another client was observed.
Deficiencies (1)
Failed to document missed medication doses within the Medication Administration Record (MAR) and failed to retain a complete service record.
Report Facts
Date of visit: Jun 9, 2021
Medication doses missed: 3
Retention period: 7
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Karen Donato | Interim Supervising Nurse Consultant | Signed the letter regarding the violations and investigation |
| Addie Ricci | Executive Director | Submitted the Plan of Correction and involved in ensuring compliance with documentation policies |
Inspection Report
Plan of Correction
Deficiencies: 1
Date: Apr 7, 2021
Visit Reason
An unannounced visit was made to Bridges By Epoch At Norwalk on April 7, 2021 by a representative of the Facility Licensing and Investigations Section of the Department of Public Health for the purpose of conducting an investigation.
Complaint Details
Complaint #29855 was the basis for the investigation. The letter references a complaint investigation but does not state substantiation status.
Findings
Violations of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and/or General Statutes were identified related to the Assisted Living Services Agency (ALSA) nurses failing to promptly notify appropriate individuals of changes in a client's condition and/or changes to the client service program, including issues with notification of bruising, changes in medication orders, and wheelchair use.
Deficiencies (1)
ALSA nurses failed to promptly notify appropriate individuals of a change in the client’s condition and/or changes to the client service program, including failure to notify about bruising, medication changes, and wheelchair use.
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Karen Donato | Supervising Nurse Consultant/Interim | Signed the letter regarding the violations and plan of correction. |
| Addie Ricci | Executive Director | Submitted the Plan of Correction for the facility. |
Inspection Report
Renewal
Capacity: 56
Deficiencies: 0
Date: Nov 4, 2019
Visit Reason
The inspection visit was conducted as a renewal licensing inspection for the facility.
Findings
Violations of the General Statutes of Connecticut and/or regulations of Connecticut State Agencies were identified at the time of this inspection.
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Addie Ricci | ED | Personnel contacted during the inspection. |
| Fran Fenaristo | SALSA | Personnel contacted during the inspection. |
Inspection Report
Original Licensing
Census: 72
Capacity: 64
Deficiencies: 0
Date: Oct 18, 2017
Visit Reason
The inspection was conducted as an initial licensing inspection of an assisted living facility.
Findings
No violations of the General Statutes of Connecticut and/or regulations of Connecticut State Agencies were identified at the time of this inspection.
Report Facts
Licensed bed capacity: 64
Census: 72
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Terry Tumpane | Executive Director | Personnel contacted during inspection |
| Kim Russo | SALSA | Personnel contacted during inspection |
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