Disability Rights Arkansas

Piney Ridge Treatment Center

*Photos taken by DRA staff during onsite monitoring visits. Photos reflect the most recent conditions observed by DRA staff but may not reflect the current conditions at the facility. If you are associated with a facility and have updated information or photos you would like to share, please contact DRA at [email protected]

Location: Fayetteville, AR                   Population Served: Children and adolescents ages 7-17 with sexually maladaptive behaviors and other co-occurring psychiatric conditions.

# of residents per unit: Up to 32 Residents per room: 1, 3 or 4 Capacity: 102

Contact with family (Calls and visit schedule): Typically, bi-weekly phone calls. Visits with family are scheduled (frequency or schedule not provided).

Restraint utilized? Yes Chemical Restraint utilized? Yes Seclusion utilized? Yes

Treatment Modalities:

Clinical Director: LPC's                    Therapists: 8 full-time therapists (2 LMSW, 1 LPC, 3 LAC, 2 LPC); 1 part-time/contract therapist (LAC)

Treatment modalities offered: TF-CBT, CBT and other modalities individualized for resident and needs.

# of individual therapy sessions/week: 1-2

# of group therapy sessions led by a licensed mental health professional/week: 3

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PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Sexual Contact

  • Sexual Contact
    • Client reported a peer pulled her into the corner of the bedroom and held her with one hand on her chest while she touched client’s genitals both over and under the clothes. Client stated she asked peer to stop, and peer said “I’m not going to stop.” Client was assessed and reported pain and tenderness around the perineum between the labia. Client was provided PRN medication, the therapist on call was notified, and a room change for the peer was implemented.
    • Licensing follow-up: Licensing was informed on 10/17/22 that the CACD investigation was unsubstantiated. No licensing concerns noted.

PRLU or OLTC

Licensing, Notice of Incident, Self-Injury

  • Licensing (Self-inflicted Injury)
    • Client reported pain to his hand after hitting a wall in frustration on 9/16/22. An x-ray was ordered for 9/17/22. Client will visit orthopedic clinic.
    • Licensing follow-up: No licensing concerns noted.

PRLU or OLTC

Licensing, Notice of Incident, Suicide Attempt

  • Licensing (Suicide Attempt)
    • Client and peer were observed kissing and were redirected by staff. Client became upset and attempted to tie a shirt around his neck. Staff removed the shirt, and client continued to be combative toward staff and attempted to scratch himself with a staple he found. Client received emergency medication and calmed down. Client was placed on suicide precautions, continuous line of sight, bathroom door cracked and cot in hallway. Referrals were made to acute care on 9/19/22.
    • Licensing follow-up: No licensing concerns noted.

PRLU or OLTC

Maltreatment, Notice of Incident, Peer Altercation, Visit Compliance Report

  • Dual (Maltreatment, Peer Altercation)
    • Client had a string of behavioral issues, and staff had to intervene multiple times between client and peer. Client forced his way out of a restraint, and a staff member allegedly hit client on the head. Two staff members confirmed this. Another staff stated the alleged staff member was not attempting to hit client. Staff member was suspended pending the investigation.
    • Licensing follow-up: Specialist visited facility on 9/21/22. Resident was interviewed and reported he was placed in a hold against the wall and was hit in the face and stomach by staff. Specialist observed a circular scar on resident’s face that he reported was a bite mark from an altercation with peer. Upon camera review, a different staff member put resident in a restraint than who resident reported. Due to the camera angle, Licensing was not able to view the entire incident. As of 10/17/22, the investigation was completed and the overall finding is unsubstantiated. No licensing concerns noted.

PRLU or OLTC

Complaint Survey with POC, Revisit Survey with POC

  • Complaint #AR00028818 was substantiated, all or in part, with deficiencies cited.
  • Regs out of compliance –
    • N 128 – Failed to ensure a physical restraint did not result in injury for 1 client who received a head injury during a physical restraint.
    • N 142 – Failed to ensure an order for a physical and chemical restraint was not received at the same time and failed to ensure a physical restraint was utilized long enough to determine its effectiveness before the administration of a chemical restraint for 1 client.
    • N 147 – Failed to ensure the documented times on the Physician’s Order and the time on the ESI Report were the same for 1 client who was placed in a physical restraint.
    • N 188 – Failed to ensure all staff involved in an ESI were present at the client debriefing for 1 client.
    • N 189 – Failed to ensure all staff involved in an ESI were present at the staff debriefing for 1 client.
    • N 207 – Failed to report a serious occurrence to the appropriate agencies for 1 client who received a head injury during a physical restraint.
  • Plan of Correction: DON provided counseling and additional education to LPN involved in incident, DON identified 50 ESIs in the past 30 days by record review with any negative findings corrected, DON provided written education to all nursing staff, DON will check ESI documentation the next business day for 8 weeks or until compliance is verified by OLTC.
  • A revisit was conducted on 12/14/22 and facility was still not in substantial compliance with the following participation requirements:
    • N100 – Failed to meet the Condition of Participation for the Use of Restraint and Seclusion at N100 as evidenced by the facility’s failure to meet the Standard for Protection of Residents at N130 and the Standard of Orders for the Use of Restraint or Seclusion at N140 and N142.N130 – Failed to ensure a client was released from a physical restraint as soon as the emergency situation had resolved for 1 client. Failed to ensure a chemical restraint was not administered after the emergency situation had ended for 1 client.N140 – Failed to ensure an order for seclusion was received for 1 client.N142 – Failed to ensure an order for a physical and chemical restraint was not received at the same time for 1 client and a physical restraint was utilized long enough to determine its effectiveness before the administration of a chemical restraint for 1 client.
    • N188 – Failed to ensure all staff who participated in a physical restraint were present at the client debriefing for 1 client.
  • Plan of correction: DON identified 48 ESI packets for 11 clients in the past 30 days by record review to ensure clients were not affected. DON provided reeducation, counseling, and additional education to staff. DON will monitor ESI documentation for 8 weeks or until OLTC has verified compliance.

PRLU or OLTC

Accidental Injury, Licensing, Notice of Incident

  • Licensing (Accidental Injury 1)
    • Client was refusing to go back inside the facility and was restrained after becoming aggressive. A staff member released the restraint sooner than the other staff member, and client fell to the ground and hit her head on the floor. Nurse noted hematoma to the back of her head. Client was taken to the ER.
    • Licensing follow-up: Miscommunication between nurse and staff when resident was released from the restraint. Client reported she slipped on her sweatshirt as they were walking through the door. Staff scheduled to complete training on zero tolerance, restraint education, and trauma. Staff submitted a resignation letter, reason unknown. Her last day of employment is 9/21/22.

PRLU or OLTC

Accidental Injury, Licensing, Notice of Incident

  • Licensing (Accidental Injury 2)
    • On 8/29/22, client was playing basketball and came down wrong on his R ankle. Upon learning of this on 8/30/22, client was assessed. X-ray found no evidence of a fracture or dislocation.
    • Licensing follow-up: No licensing concerns noted.

PRLU or OLTC

Elopement, Licensing, Notice of Incident

  • Licensing (Elopement)
    • While outside at 1425 hours, client climbed the pole of the awning and walked the area of the fence, then jumped over the fence. Staff lost sight of client in a wooded area. Police located client at 1930 hours and brought him back to the facility. Nurse assessed client and noted a few abrasions from bushes. Client was placed on elopement precautions, restricted to unit, and will process with his primary therapist.
    • Licensing follow-up: No licensing concerns noted.

Police Report

Missing Person

Officers responded for a missing person complaint at approx 2:30pm. Upon arrival, staff stated juvenile jumped over the fence in the playground area and ran down the fence line towards the wooded area. Juvenile was recovered by Johnson PD at approx 7pm, and was taken back to the facility. Fayetteville PD confirmed the juvenile was back at facility.

Police Report

911 Hang Up

Dispatch received 911 hang up. Upon call back, caller stated they were attempting to contact CEMS. No emergency at this time.

PRLU or OLTC

Licensing, Notice of Incident, Self-Injury, Suicide Attempt

  • Licensing (Suicide Attempt, Self-inflicted Injury)
    • Client began inserting objects into her vagina, then began rubbing her hand on her vagina and smearing the vaginal secretions on staff’s face. Client was also scratching her arm. Client was transported to the ER where the object was removed from her vagina. As client was discharging from the hospital, she attempted to swallow a piece of metal from her face mask. Staff removed it, and she tried to wrap her pants around her neck and verbalized suicidal ideation. Hospital security escorted client outside and refused to let client or staff enter the building. While transporting her back to the facility, client was assaultive to staff and attempted to self-harm. EMS and police were called, and client was transported to another hospital. Client remained there overnight with staff and was accepted into an acute facility for treatment.
    • Licensing follow-up: No licensing concerns noted.

PRLU or OLTC

Accidental Injury, Licensing, Notice of Incident

  • Licensing (Accidental Injury)
    • Client’s peer became upset and flipped a table over. The table landed on client’s ankle unintentionally. Client had bruising, slight swelling, and an abrasion to his ankle. X-ray results: No fracture and soft tissue was unremarkable.
    • Licensing follow-up: No licensing concerns noted.

PRLU or OLTC

Elopement, Notice of Incident

  • Elopement
    • Client refused to go back inside after the unit was outside and climbed onto an awning on the sidewalk between buildings. Client then jumped on the other side of the fence and off the property. Staff followed client and the police were called. Client was returned to the facility and evaluated; No injuries reported. Client was placed on restriction and re-evaluated in hours, placed on elopement precaution, and followed up with primary therapist.
    • Licensing follow-up: No licensing concerns noted.

Police Report

Missing Person

Juvenile left facility with staff following. Juvenile does have wounds on arm from self-harm. An hour later, caller advised juvenile was walked back to facility by staff and had scrapes but was fine and currently talking with the therapist.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident

  • X-ray (Hand Pain)
    • Client was evaluated by the APRN after complaining of right-hand pain. X-ray ordered: No fracture or foreign body noted.
    • Licensing follow-up: No licensing concerns noted.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Peer Altercation

  • X-ray (Peer Altercation)
    • Client was hit in the face by a peer; Client’s nose was swollen and bruised upon assessment. APRN was notified and an x-ray was ordered. Diagnosis: Displaced fracture of nasal bone. Client will follow-up with APRN on 8/8/22 for the next step of treatment. Peer was placed on precautions. No follow-up details.

PRLU or OLTC

Complaint Visit, Visit Compliance Report

  • Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice.
  • Licensing reviewed resident’s chart and nursing notes. Licensing is not prepared to leave a finding at this time.

PRLU or OLTC

Elopement, Notice of Incident

  • Elopement
    • While outside processing with their therapist, client ran and jumped over the fence. Staff followed client, and client returned by jumping back over the fence. Client was assessed by nursing staff, and minor scrapes to legs were cleaned. Client was placed on RTU and seen by their therapist.
    • Licensing follow-up on 8/1/22: RTU – Restricted on the Unit.

Police Report

Missing Person

Juvenile left facility and said they were going home (Colorado). Juvenile was located on road by facility and was walked back by staff. Juvenile does self-harm and did cut their arm today.

PRLU or OLTC

Maltreatment, Notice of Incident, Visit Compliance Report

  • Maltreatment
    • Client made a claim that she cut her wrist while on precautions. DON assessed client and checked client’s skin, noting a scratch on upper arm.
    • Child Abuse Hotline was called and accepted. Licensing follow-up on 8/1/22: Informed by RA that information would be provided on 8/2/22. Licensing completed a record review on 08/03/22. Complaint unfounded.

Police Report

Criminal Mischief

Staff advised front door was found shattered; It’s unknown if someone tried to break in or not. A rock was found in a lobby chair, no staff reported anything overnight. There is possible security footage.

PRLU or OLTC

Buildings and Grounds, Visit Compliance Report

  • Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice.
  • Visit conducted from 14:15 – 15:40 with Program Coordinator Chelsea Vardell. Census: 92. Partial walkthrough was conducted due to an increase in Covid-19 cases. Construction on the Annex building is still underway and expected to be completed in mid-August. No licensing concerns noted.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Peer Altercation

  • X-ray (Peer Altercation)
    • Client was hit in the face with a closed fist and kicked in the nose by a peer. Client complained of nose pain; X-ray was ordered. No fractures were seen.
    • Licensing follow-up on 7/22/22: Incident report received. Staff did attempt to intervene.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Peer Altercation, Self-Injury

  • X-ray (Peer Altercation, Self-inflicted Injury)
    • Client had an altercation with a peer on 6/20/22 where client punched a wall and did not report pain until 7/18/22. X-ray was completed on 7/19/22: Fracture to right 5th finger. A cast was applied on 7/19/22, and follow-up appointment scheduled on 8/1/22. Client placed on no sports.
    • Licensing follow-up on 7/22/22: Inquired about nurse’s note from 6/20/22 and incident report. Copy of incident report and nurse’s note received.

Police Report

911 Open Line

Silent open line; On call back, line was picked up and immediately disconnected. Officer made contact with staff, and it was determined a student was messing with the phone.