Forest Heights (60 Westheights Drive, Kitchener) is operated by Extendicare, a for-profit operator of long-term care homes in Canada. There are approximately 240 beds in private, semi-private and shared rooms.
Forest Heights is formerly owned and operated by Revera.
Inspection Reports for Forest Heights
Our research team carefully reviewed and summarized inspection reports for Forest Heights. You can read the original copies of the reports in the Government of Ontario website.
🔍 October 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.
🔍 July 2023: Inspection
This inspection for Forest Heights, led by Brittany Nielsen, focused on a range of complaints and critical incidents.
- Reporting of Abuse: The licensee failed to ensure immediate reporting of suspected abuse to the Director. Staff reported an abuse allegation to management three days after becoming aware of it, which delayed the response to the incident.
- Administration of Unprescribed Drugs: A resident was administered a medication that had not been prescribed to them. This error presented a risk of adverse reactions in the resident.
🔍 May 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: Proactive Compliance Inspection
The inspection for Forest Heights, led by Nuzhat Uddin and Helene Desabrais, focused on various aspects including infection control, medication management, and nutritional care.
- Infection Prevention and Control: The facility failed to comply with hand hygiene (HH) protocols as per the Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Standard. Staff did not assist residents with hand hygiene before and after meals, increasing the risk of disease transmission.
- Medication Management: There were issues with the administration of medications. Medications were given to multiple residents simultaneously without proper checks, and medications were pre-poured, against policy guidelines, posing risks to residents.
- Administration of Drugs: Staff failed to ensure that residents only self-administered drugs with prescriber approval. This non-compliance posed moderate risks to the residents.
- Drug Destruction and Disposal: The facility did not separate drugs for destruction from those available for administration, increasing the risk of harm.
- Nutritional Care and Dietary Services: The facility failed to implement its “Pleasurable Meal Service Strategies Policy”. Inadequate staff presence during meal times and delays in serving meals led to resident distress and potential health risks.
🔍 January 2023: Inspection
The report for Forest Heights, by Janet Evans and Kristen Owen, addressed multiple intakes including falls, system breakdowns, neglect, self-harm, and abuse incidents. Key findings include:
- Duty to Protect: The licensee failed to protect a resident from abuse by a co-resident. Despite known responsive behaviors, necessary interventions were not adequately implemented, compromising resident safety.
- Reporting to the Director: The facility did not immediately report allegations regarding abuse and neglect to the Director. This delay could hinder timely intervention and resolution.
- Zero Tolerance Policy: The home failed to comply with its policy to promote zero tolerance of abuse and neglect. Investigations into alleged abuse or neglect were not conducted as required, potentially compromising resident safety.
- Behaviours and Altercations: Procedures to minimize risk from a resident’s behaviors were inadequately implemented. This oversight led to ongoing altercations and potential harm.
- Food and Nutrition Program: Staff failed to comply with tray service guidelines, risking residents not receiving meals, particularly breakfast.
- Personal Items and Aids: There was a failure to ensure cleanliness of residents’ wheelchairs, posing a hygiene risk.
🔍 October 2022: Inspection
The inspection for Forest Heights, by Kim Byberg, Alicia Campbell, Kristen Owen, and Amanpreet Malhi, covers various critical incidents and compliance issues.
- Plan of Care: The licensee rectified non-compliance related to the plan of care for a resident. The issue concerned mismatched transfer equipment indicated in the care plan and the actual equipment used. It was resolved by updating the care plan, assessment, and transfer equipment logo.
- Pain Management: Failures in pain management for residents after injuries or hospitalization were noted. In some cases, pain assessments were incomplete, not timely, or the effectiveness of pain management strategies was not adequately monitored.
- Skin and Wound Care: Inadequate skin assessments for residents with injuries using the prescribed app led to potential risks in monitoring infection and wound deterioration.
- Falls Prevention and Management: The home did not monitor a resident’s vitals post-fall as required, potentially increasing the risk of further falls and delayed treatment.
- Reports and Critical Incidents: A delay in reporting a fire in the home’s laundry room to the Director was noted. Immediate reporting is essential for timely interventions in emergencies.
- Maintenance Services: Procedures for the maintenance of dryers were not fully adhered to, including lack of annual inspections by qualified individuals and incomplete maintenance as per manufacturer instructions. This posed risks of dryer malfunction and delays in laundry services.
- Accommodation Services and Programs: The home did not have a written agreement setting out service expectations with the service provider for dryer maintenance, which might impact the efficiency of laundry services and equipment.