Extendicare Columbia Forest (650 Mountain Maple Avenue, Waterloo) is operated by Extendicare, a for-profit operator of long-term care homes in Canada. There are approximately 160 beds in private, semi-private and shared rooms.
Extendicare Columbia Forest (formerly known as Columbia Forest Long Term Care Centre) is previously owned and operated by Revera.
Inspection Reports for Extendicare Columbia Forest
Our research team at Caring Magazine carefully reviewed and summarized inspection reports for Extendicare Columbia Forest You can read the original copies of the reports in the Government of Ontario website.
🔍 October 2023: Inspection
The report for Extendicare Columbia Forest, by Lead Inspector Kailee Bercowski, focused on falls prevention and management, as well as the prevention of abuse.
A key finding of non-compliance was identified in the area of pain management. Extendicare Columbia Forest failed to effectively monitor pain management strategies for residents. The policy required staff to initiate 72-hour pain monitoring following a resident’s change in condition, and upon completion, for nursing staff to evaluate the effectiveness of the pain management. It was found that this evaluation and a comprehensive pain assessment were not completed as required.
🔍 October 2023: Critical Incident Inspection
During the course of this inspection, the inspector(s) made relevant observations, reviewed records and conducted interviews, as applicable. There were no findings of non-compliance.
🔍 July 2023: Inspection
During the course of this inspection, the inspector(s) made relevant observations, reviewed records and conducted interviews, as applicable. There were no findings of non-compliance.
🔍 March 2023: Inspection
During the course of this inspection, the inspector(s) made relevant observations, reviewed records and conducted interviews, as applicable. There were no findings of non-compliance.
🔍 December 2022: Inspection
The inspection for Extendicare Columbia Forest was led by Alicia CampbellThe focus areas were Falls Prevention and Management, and Infection Prevention and Control.
- Infection Prevention and Control: The licensee initially failed to implement the IPAC Standard as issued by the Director. Specifically, there was a failure to post additional precaution signage at the door of resident #005’s room, who was being isolated. This non-compliance was observed and confirmed by Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) #108 and the IPAC lead/interim Director of Care (DOC). However, the issue was remedied by December 6, 2022, when the required signage was posted on resident #005’s door.
- Pain Management Requirements: The licensee failed to comply with pain management strategies for resident #001 following a fall. The resident experienced pain for approximately seven hours without treatment, despite the pain being reported to and documented by Registered Nurse (RN) #107. Both RN #105 and the IPAC lead/interim DOC acknowledged that the pain should have been treated. This failure to treat the resident’s pain may have caused unnecessary suffering and discomfort.
🔍 December 2021: Complaints Inspection
The inspection for Extendicare Columbia Forest, led by April Racpan, was a complaint inspection. The main focus of the inspection was related to a complaint about skin and wound concerns and other care issues for a resident, identified as #002.
- Skin and Wound Care: The licensee failed to comply with O. Reg. 79/10, s. 50, which mandates that residents exhibiting altered skin integrity must receive a skin assessment by registered nursing staff using a clinically appropriate assessment instrument. This non-compliance was specifically related to resident #002, who had various skin concerns including rashes, bruising, and dry skin, but did not receive the required assessments.
- Assessments and Interventions: In April 2021, resident #002 developed a rash that was treated but not assessed as required. In August 2021, following a fall that resulted in a bruise and laceration, the necessary skin assessments, treatment interventions, and family notification were not completed. In December 2021, staff noted that resident #002 had very dry skin, but again, a required skin assessment was not completed.
As a result of these findings, the licensee was requested to prepare a voluntary plan of correction to ensure compliance with skin assessment requirements for residents with altered skin integrity.
🔍 December 2021: Critical Incident Inspection
During the course of this inspection, Non-Compliances were not issued.
🔍 October 27, 2021: Complaints Inspection
The inspection for Extendicare Columbia Forest was conducted by April Racpan. The report addresses a complaint related to an elopement incident.
- Safe and Secure Environment Requirements: The licensee failed to ensure that the home was a safe and secure environment for its residents. This was evidenced by multiple elopement incidents involving residents exiting through the home’s front entrance doors, which were monitored by designated staff, including third-party security screeners.
- Elopement Incidents: A resident was mistakenly allowed to exit by a screener who thought they were a family member. Another resident exited and was missing for a period, sustaining an injury while outside. A third resident eloped twice in one day, once found outside the home’s premises.
The non-compliance was considered severe due to actual risk of harm and widespread, as it involved multiple residents.
🔍 October 6, 2021: Complaints Inspection
This document appears to be duplicative to the inspection report issued on October 27, 2021.
🔍 October 6, 2021: Complaints Inspection
This document appears to be duplicative to the inspection report issued on October 27, 2021.
🔍 October 6, 2021: Critical Incident Inspection
During the course of this inspection, Non-Compliances were not issued.
🔍 May 2021: Critical Incident Inspection
The Critical Incident System inspection for Extendicare Columbia Forest addressed several critical incidents. This inspection was conducted by Inspector Daniela Lupu. The inspection aimed to address critical incidents involving alleged neglect, alleged abuse, and issues related to falls prevention and management.
- Plan of Care: The licensee failed to revise the plans of care for two residents with ineffective responsive behaviour interventions. This resulted in the deterioration of their hygiene and possibly their health condition.
- Zero Tolerance Policy: Staff did not comply with the zero tolerance policy for abuse and neglect. An alleged abuse incident was not immediately reported, and the involved staff member continued to work without suspension.
- Reporting to the Director: There was a failure to immediately report suspected abuse and neglect incidents to the Director, as required.
- Infection Prevention and Control Program: Staff did not adhere to proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) usage and hand hygiene protocols, increasing the risk of infection transmission.
The licensee was requested to prepare written plans of correction to achieve compliance in the areas identified, to be implemented voluntarily.