SERIOUS
(G)
Actual Harm - a resident was hurt due to facility failures
Quality of Care
(Tag F0684)
A resident was harmed · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, records reviewed, and interviews, the facility failed to provide treatment and care in accordance with pr...
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**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, records reviewed, and interviews, the facility failed to provide treatment and care in accordance with professional standards of practice and the Resident's/Resident Representative's (RRs) choices for one Resident (#27), out of a total sample of 19 residents.
Specifically, the facility failed to adequately assess Resident #27's acute change in condition and accurately monitor his/her food intake or fluid intake and fluid output when the Resident demonstrated frequent refusal of medications, had reduced food and fluid intake, had a history of constipation, and complained of abdominal pain, which resulted in rectal fecal impaction and hospitalization.
Findings include:
Review of the facility's policy titled, Change of Resident Condition, revised June 2020, included the following:
-The purpose was to ensure timely communication of a resident's change in condition between nursing staff and the prescriber to better evaluate and manage residents in the facility and to thereby avoid transfer to an acute care setting.
-The facility recognized that timely communication of a resident's change of condition to the prescriber (Physician [MD]/Nurse Practitioner [NP]) was essential to the initiation of therapeutic interventions.
-The facility also recognized the important role filled by family, surrogate, and representatives in the care of each resident .
-A change in condition was a sudden, clinically important deviation from a resident's baseline in physical, cognitive, behavioral, or functional domains.
-Clinically important meant a deviation, that without intervention, might result in complications .
Review of the facility's policy titled, Intake and Output Policy, undated, indicated:
-The Nursing personnel would keep an accurate record of a resident's fluid balance when the resident had a drainage collection device and/or per the Physician's order.
-Fluid output includes all fluid that leaves a resident's body, including urine .
-Whenever possible, output will be measured versus estimated.
-A resident's fluid output was to be documented in the intake and output form.
-The 11:00 P.M. through 7:00 A.M. (11-7) shift would total the intake of fluids for the previous 24-hour cycle and document in the 24-hour total intake space.
-The Nurse was required to notify the Physician if any one of the following occurred:
1. A resident's fluid intake fell below 1000 milliliters (mls)/24 hours for a period of greater than 72 hours.
2. A resident's 24-hour fluid intake fell below 500 mls.
Review of the facility's policy titled, Nutrition/Hydration Status Maintenance, undated, indicated:
-The facility would provide nutrition/hydration status maintenance services in accordance to State and Federal Regulations.
-Residents would be offered sufficient fluid intake to maintain proper hydration and health.
-Residents would be offered a therapeutic diet when there was a nutritional problem and the health care provider ordered a therapeutic diet.
Resident #27 was admitted to the facility in August 2023 with diagnoses including Parkinson's Disease (a progressive disorder that affects the nervous system and the parts of the body controlled by the nerves), Oropharyngeal (the area of the throat behind the mouth and the tonsils) Phase Dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing food or liquid), and Muscle Weakness.
Review of Resident #27's Nursing admission assessment dated [DATE], indicated the Resident:
-had muscle weakness
-was alert and confused
-had fair appetite
-difficulty swallowing.
Further review of the Nursing admission Assessment indicated the Resident had an indwelling urinary catheter (a hollow, partially flexible tube that collects urine from the bladder and leads to a drainage bag).
Review of Resident #27's Discharge Plan Care Plan initiated 8/23/23, indicated the Resident was to remain in the facility for long term care due to requiring 24-hour supervision and care.
Review of Resident #27's Behavioral Symptom Care Plan initiated 8/23/23, indicated the Resident could be resistive to care and staff were to reiterate the purpose and advantages of treatment for the Resident.
Review of Resident #27's Nutritional Status Care Plan initiated 8/24/23, indicated:
-The Resident had a potential nutrition risk related to medical condition requiring a mechanically altered diet.
-Staff were to monitor intakes and weights.
-Registered Dietician (RD)/Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) screen (brief meeting with an individual to determine strengths and weakness through informal measures) and treat PRN (as the situation demands).
Review of an RD Note dated 8/24/23, included the following:
-House (a healthy meal plan that includes a variety of healthy foods from all the food groups), soft and bite-sized diet. Allow soft bread products and soft salad sandwiches.
-Appetite was 75-100%
-No supplements were in place.
-The Resident and Health Care Proxy (HCP: someone designated to make choices about one's care if they are unable to make those decisions for themselves) were happy with the diet texture.
-No interventions were required at that time.
-Will monitor intakes, weights .
Review of a Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment dated [DATE], indicated Resident #27 was severely cognitively impaired as evidenced by a score of five out of 15 possible points on the Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS).
Further review of the MDS assessment indicated the Resident had inattention and disorganized thinking, and required supervision and set-up for eating.
Further review of Resident #27's active Comprehensive Care Plan dated 9/1/23, included:
-The Resident had tooth decay and staff were to encourage enough fluid consumption to keep his/her mouth moist and provide diet as ordered.
-The Resident had communication difficulties and staff were to allow him/her time to process information.
-The Resident was unable to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) independently and required continuous supervision at a ratio of one staff to eight residents for eating.
*ADLs could vary in the course of the day due to disease process of Parkinson's Disease with delusions (fixed, false conviction in something that is not real or shared by other people) and hallucinations (experience in which one sees, hears, feels, or smells something that does not exist).
*Assess Resident and carry out ADLs as needed.
*Evaluate Resident ability to perform ADLs.
*Notify MD/NP, Rehab of any decline if noted.
*Provide assistance as needed .
-The Resident had an indwelling urinary catheter and preferred a leg drainage bag at all times.
-The Resident's urinary catheter drainage system was to be assessed every shift and as needed. The amount, color, and odor of urinary output was to be recorded.
Review of Resident #27's Speech Therapy Discharge summary dated [DATE], indicated the Resident was able to swallow thin consistency liquids from an open cup using compensatory strategies (techniques used to help an individual perform tasks in a manner to be more independent) from trained staff.
Review of a Physician's order, dated 9/26/23, indicated: Downgrade (reduce) thin liquids to nectar liquid consistency until further evaluation is done.
Review of Resident #27's clinical record included no evidence of a referral to the RD or SLP for further evaluation after the liquid downgrade was ordered.
On 9/29/23 from 8:58 A.M. through 9:11 A.M., the surveyor observed the following:
-Resident #27 was lying in bed with the head of the bed slightly elevated.
-The Resident's breakfast tray was placed on a rolling overbed table, to the left of the Resident's bed, beside the window.
-All food and drink items on the tray were covered. Resident #27 pointed toward the breakfast tray and said he/she was hungry, continued to point at the breakfast tray and said, It's over there.
-The surveyor observed the items on the tray included one full cup of juice, one full cup of coffee, one full cup of milk, one full covered bowl of cereal, and one covered plate of scrambled eggs and toast.
-the surveyor did not observe any staff members enter the Resident's room to offer or assist with breakfast for the Resident.
Review of Resident #27's fluid intake and output on the September 2023 Treatment Administration Record was as follows:
-Intake was 600 mls and urine output was 700 mls on 9/29/23. Intake and output was not recorded for the 11:00 P.M. through 7:00 A.M. shift.
-Intake was 840 mls and urine output was 400 mls on 9/30/23. Urine output was recorded as Medium on the 7:00 A.M. through 3:00 P.M. shift and the 11:00 P.M. through 7:00 A.M. shift.
Review of a Nursing Progress Note, dated 10/1/23, indicated Resident #27's HCP expressed a noted decline in the Resident's eating and drinking to the Director of Nursing (DON) and that the HCP wanted to give the Resident thin liquids.
Further review of the Nursing Progress Note indicated the DON explained the Resident's risk for aspiration/choking and Pneumonia to the HCP and that the NP would follow-up on this [sic].
On 10/3/23 between 8:40 A.M. and 8:53 A.M., the surveyor observed the following:
-Resident #27 was lying in bed sleeping.
-The Resident's breakfast tray was resting on a rolling overbed table to the Resident's left side, within reach of the Resident, and contained scrambled eggs, one piece of toast that was cut in half, one bowl of oatmeal, and one bowl of rice cereal.
-There were four individual unopened coffee creamers on the tray and one plastic cup which was positioned upside down. There was no remnants of liquid in the cup. There was one covered metal mug on the tray that was full of thin consistency ice water. There were no other drinks on the tray and no staff were in the room assisting the Resident.
During an interview on 10/3/23 at 8:46 A.M., outside the Resident's room with Nurse #2, she said that Resident #27's liquid consistency had recently been downgraded to nectar thick from thin due to difficulty swallowing. Nurse #2 said the Resident's HCP had been attempting to provide thin consistency water to the Resident over the previous week or so due to the HCP having concerns that the Resident was not drinking enough liquids since the downgrade to nectar thick, but she did not think the HCP had been in as yet that day. The surveyor, Nurse #2 and CNA #11 entered the Resident's room together and Nurse #2 said the Resident could not have thin liquids. Nurse #2 instructed CNA #11 to dump it and the CNA removed the metal mug from the tray, entered the bathroom and emptied the metal cup of ice water.
-the surveyor did not observe any food or liquids being offered to the Resident during this time and CNA #11 removed Resident #27's tray from his/her room.
During an interview on 10/3/23 at 11:30 A.M., Resident #27's HCP said he/she noticed the Resident had a recent decline in eating and drinking over the previous week, since the Resident's liquid consistency had been changed from thin to nectar thick. The HCP said he/she had concerns the Resident was not eating or drinking enough and that he/she would lose weight and become dehydrated. Resident #27's HCP also said the Resident had been refusing medications frequently, including medications used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's Disease and medications to regulate the Resident's bowels.
On 10/4/23 between 12:10 P.M. and 12:26 P.M., the surveyor observed the following:
-Resident #27 was lying in bed. His/her lunch tray was resting on a rolling overbed table that was positioned against the wall by the window, to the left of the Resident.
-The meal tray contained one covered cup of thickened milk, one covered mug of water with a packet of unopened thickened coffee, one covered bowl with applesauce, and one covered plate that contained a stuffed pepper.
-The Resident pointed toward the meal tray but did not vocalize out loud to the surveyor. When the surveyor asked the Resident if anyone had offered him/her lunch, the Resident shook his/her head, indicating no. When the surveyor asked if the Resident wanted lunch, he/she nodded his/her head, indicating yes.
-At 12:26 P.M., CNA #7 entered Resident #27's room. CNA #7 spoke to the Resident's roommate, then approached Resident #27 and asked if he/she wanted to get up out of bed. Resident #27 said no, and CNA #7 left the room.
-No staff were observed offering Resident #27 assistance with his/her meal during this time and the Resident's tray remained on the rolling overbed table against the wall by the window.
Review of Resident #27's Meal Intake Monitoring Record for 10/4/23 indicated the Resident ate 76-100% of his/her lunch meal that day, despite the surveyor's observation that the meal tray was untouched.
On 10/4/23 at 2:45 P.M., the surveyor observed Resident #27's HCP standing at the nurses station. The Resident's HCP said he/she was looking for a Nurse to assess the Resident and that the Resident was requesting to go to the hospital with complaints of feeling impacted (inability to evacuate large hard stool, most commonly found in the rectum). At this time, Nurse #7 came out of the office located behind the nurses station and introduced himself to the surveyor as the 3:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M. shift Supervisor. Nurse #7 further said that he had a rapport with the HCP and walked down the hallway with him/her.
Review of a Nursing Note dated 10/4/23, indicated Resident #27's indwelling urinary catheter was changed due to blockage. The Nursing Note did not include any information relative to the Resident having had abdominal pain, feeling impacted, or requesting to go to the hospital.
During a telephone interview on 10/5/23 at 10:30 A.M., the NP said she was unavailable to come to the facility during the previous week, but she was available to the facility by phone. The NP said she returned to work onsite on 10/2/23 and was aware the Resident had been having trouble with his/her urinary catheter becoming blocked and had been refusing indwelling urinary catheter care and medications. The NP also said she was aware Resident #27's HCP requested to be able to provide the Resident with thin liquids, but was not aware that the Resident had reduced food and thickened fluid intake. The NP further said she was not aware that the Resident had expressed feeling impacted on 10/4/23 or that he/she had requested to go to the hospital. The NP said she had not assessed Resident #27's status that week as this was new information. She said she would want to obtain a urinalysis for the Resident to rule out a urinary tract infection (UTI) and that she needed to review the Resident's record and see the Resident in order to develop a clinical plan.
Review of Resident #27's Meal Intake Monitoring Record for 10/5/23 indicated the Resident ate no lunch that day and the surveyor observed that the documentation was completed at 10:53 A.M., which was prior to the lunch meal being served.
On 10/5/23 at 11:45 A.M., the surveyor observed Resident #27 seated in a wheelchair beside his/her bed and the Resident's HCP was present. The Resident did not respond to his/her HCP's verbal cues or physical touch. The Resident's head was positioned downward, his/her eyes were closed, and his/her mouth was open. The surveyor observed that the Resident's lips were dry, there was a light grey tint to the skin surrounding the Resident's lips, darkened grey circles around the Resident's eyes, and the Resident's face had a greyish hue. Resident #27's HCP talked to the Resident and touched the Resident on his/her arms and hands, but the Resident did not respond.
During an interview at the time, Resident #27's HCP said the Resident had a scheduled outside appointment that afternoon and that transportation services were booked to pick the Resident up at 12:00 P.M. The Resident's HCP also said the Resident had not yet received a lunch even though the Resident was not going to be at the facility for lunch that day. The HCP said he/she did not know if the facility planned to send a lunch with Resident #27, so he/she brought some food from home for the Resident. The HCP then opened a container of yogurt and attempted to provide a spoonful to Resident #27, which fell from the Resident's mouth. The HCP then attempted to provide a drink of water from an open cup which also fell from the Resident's mouth. When the HCP made a second attempt, the Resident accepted and swallowed one spoon of yogurt and one sip of water provided by the HCP while the Resident was cued for the yogurt, water, and to swallow. The Resident's HCP told the Resident he/she needed to wake up so that he/she could talk with the Provider at the scheduled appointment that day, but the Resident did not respond. The HCP said he/she had helped the Resident get dressed that morning and that the Resident's clothes no longer fit as they were too big. The HCP also said she thought the Resident had lost weight and was afraid he/she may have been dehydrated. Resident #27's HCP also said he/she requested the Nurse to check the Resident's rectum for impaction the prior day (10/4/23) as the Resident expressed feeling impacted and requested hospital transfer, but the rectum assessment did not occur because when the Nurse assessed the Resident, the Resident's indwelling urinary catheter was blocked and the drainage bag was empty, so the urinary catheter was changed. The HCP said when the catheter was changed, a large amount of urine flow occurred and the Resident's abdominal pain decreased. The HCP said the Resident's rectum was not assessed for impaction. The HCP then told the surveyor the Resident's community Physician was located in the same building where the Resident was scheduled for an appointment that afternoon, and he/she was hoping that the Physician could assess the Resident.
On 10/5/23 at 11:55 A.M., the surveyor observed CNA #7 remove Resident #27's lunch meal tray from the meal cart. When the surveyor asked whether the Resident had been provided lunch as yet that day, CNA #7 said no, pointed to the tray on top of the cart, and said that the tray was Resident #27's lunch meal. CNA #7 said he was going to bring the meal to the Resident at that time. When the surveyor asked why the Resident's Meal Intake Monitoring Record was already completed for the lunch meal, CNA #7 said it should not have been. CNA #7 also said Resident #27 did not eat lunch the previous day, on 10/4/23, so it should not have been recorded as 76-100% consumed on the Meal Intake Monitoring Record.
During an interview on 10/5/23 at 12:45 P.M., Nurse #9 said she worked through a staffing agency and that this was the first time she worked on the Unit and was assigned to Resident #27. Nurse #9 said she could not provide an accurate assessment of Resident #27's baseline status because it was the first time she had seen the Resident and had nothing to compare it to, but that the Resident was very sleepy when she went in to provide his/her medications. Nurse #9 also said she did not know the facility's policy for monitoring fluid intake and output (I & O) for Residents on I & O monitoring.
Review of the clinical record included a photograph of Resident #27 taken on admission to the facility. The Resident's eyes were slightly sunken and his/her mouth was open in the photograph, but the surveyor did not observe any grey tint to the skin surrounding the Resident's lips, no darkened grey circles around the Resident's eyes, and the Resident had no grey hue to his/her face.
During an interview on 10/5/23 at 12:50 P.M., with Nurse #5 (who was covering for the Unit Manager), she said that when a resident had an outside appointment during meal time, the facility was supposed to provide an early meal for the resident. Nurse #5 said Resident #27 left the facility for a scheduled appointment at 12:00 P.M. that day, that she checked on him/her prior to leaving and saw a lunch tray in the room. Nurse #5 said she did not know if the Resident had an opportunity to eat lunch, but she did see the Resident's HCP attempting to feed him/her some yogurt. When the surveyor asked whether five minutes was an adequate amount of time for Resident #27 to eat lunch prior to leaving for his/her appointment, Nurse #5 said she did not know why the Resident did not receive an early lunch tray. Nurse #5 also said that the Resident experienced a recent decline in ability to swallow, so she contacted the NP to obtain an order to downgrade the Resident's liquid consistency from thin to nectar thick. Nurse #5 further said Resident #27 required someone to sit and talk with him/her, and take their time when providing food and fluids.
During a telephone interview on 10/5/23 at 2:52 P.M., the RD said if a resident had a change in nutrition, including eating or drinking, she would expect to be notified so she could assess the change. The RD said she was in the facility on 10/4/23, but was not asked to see Resident #27. The RD said that the fact that Resident #27 had a recent downgrade in liquid consistency and had reduced food and fluid intake would be cause for her to have assessed him/her. The RD further said if she had been made aware of Resident #27's status, she would absolutely have seen him/her.
Review of Resident #27's fluid intake and output on the October 2023 Treatment Administration Record was as follows:
-Intake was 790 mls and urine output was 790 mls on 10/1/23. Urine output measurement for the 7:00 A.M. through 3:00 P.M. shift was indicated as Not administered: Refused.
-Intake was 280 mls and urine output was 700 mls on 10/2/23. Urine output measurement for the 7:00 A.M. through 3:00 P.M. shift was indicated as Not administered: Refused.
-Intake was 720 mls and urine output was indicated as Medium on the 7:00 A.M. through 3:00 P.M. shift and Large on the 3:00 P.M. through 11:00 P.M. shift on 10/3/23. Urine output on the 11:00 P.M. through 7:00 A.M. shift was not recorded.
-Intake was 940 mls and urine output was 500 mls combined from the 7:00 A.M. through 3:00 P.M. and 3:00 P.M. and 11:00 P.M. shift on 10/4/23. Urine output on the 11:00 P.M. through 7:00 A.M. shift was recorded as Medium.
-No entry for fluid intake or urine output was recorded for 10/5/23.
On 10/5/23 at 4:55 P.M., the surveyor observed the NP seated at the nurses station. During an interview at this time, the NP said she had planned to see Resident #27, but the Resident had not returned to the facility since he/she left for an appointment.
During an interview on 10/5/23 at 5:00 P.M., the DON said Resident #27 had been transferred to the hospital Emergency Department (ED) directly from his/her appointment due to the Resident being under-responsive while at the appointment.
Review of the hospital ED Note dated 10/5/23, indicated:
-Resident #27 presented to the ED with abdominal pain and question of worsening mental status.
-The Resident was provided with one liter of intravenous (IV- administered directly into a vein) fluids, Sinemet (medication used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's Disease) that was dissolvable under the tongue as the Resident was not swallowing well, and Zosyn (antibiotic medication used to treat infection). -A computed tomography (CT- computerized x-ray imaging procedure) scan was completed, notable for Stercoral Colitis (rare and severe condition where feces causes blockages within the colon) with possible rectal Pneumatosis (gas found within the wall of the bowel) and inflammatory changes around the bladder consistent with cystitis (inflammation of the bladder).
-Per general surgery, air was more likely surrounding stool, and rectal enemas (technique used to stimulate stool evacuation, usually to relieve constipation) and by mouth bowel regimen was recommeded.
-Manual disimpaction (removal of stool from the rectum using a gloved finger or retractor. Procedure performed when a person is unable to pass stools due to severe constipation or fecal impaction) was performed in the ED.
-Plan was to admit the Resident to the hospital for further bowel regimen management.
During an interview on 10/6/23 at 8:24 A.M., Nurse #7 said he spoke with Resident #27's HCP on 10/4/23 and that the HCP was concerned about whether the Resident had been moving his/her bowels as the Resident was complaining of impaction. Nurse #7 said he reported this to Nurse #5 who was assigned to care for Resident #27 at that time.
During an interview on 10/6/23 at 8:38 A.M., Nurse #5 said prior to 10/4/23, earlier in the week, Resident #27's HCP questioned whether the Resident had been moving his/her bowels. Nurse #5 said she reviewed the Resident's bowel records which did not indicate a three-day period of no bowel movements, and she also assessed the Resident for bowel sounds, which were present, and abdominal distention, which was not present. Nurse #5 said when the Resident reported feeling impacted on 10/4/23, she assessed the Resident and found that the Resident's urinary catheter collection bag was empty and his/her catheter was blocked. Nurse #5 said she was unable to flush the catheter, so she had to change it. Nurse #5 said once the catheter was changed and urine flow occurred, the Resident's discomfort decreased. Nurse #5 said she assessed the Resident's bowel sounds, which were present, and abdominal distension, which was not present, then offered the Resident an as needed (PRN) dose of Milk of Magnesia, but the Resident refused. Nurse #5 did not say whether she checked the Resident's rectum for fecal impaction.
At this time, the surveyor and Nurse #5 reviewed the facility's policy relative to I & O and also reviewed Resident #27's I & O monitoring on the September 2023 and October 2023 Treatment Administration Records (TARs). Nurse #5 said recording fluid intake and urine output on the TAR was the facility's process for accurately monitoring a Resident's fluid I & O. She said that upon review of Resident #27's I & O monitoring and the facility's policy, the NP should have been notified of the Resident's reduced fluid intake, but she could not speak to what the NP knew[sic].
During an interview on 10/6/23 at 9:30 A.M., the Administrator said the facility did not have an SLP as of 9/21/23.
During a telephone interview on 10/6/23 at 9:48 A.M., Resident #27's HCP said that at the Resident's baseline, he/she fed him/herself. The HCP said at times the Resident would not want to taste his/her meal, but if a taste of the meal was provided for him/her, he/she would then eat the whole meal. Resident #27's HCP said the Resident responded best to gentle talking and entering his/her reality when talking with him/her to engage the Resident in daily activities.
Resident #27's HCP said the Resident was unable to respond to the Provider during his/her appointment on 10/5/23, so the Resident's community Physician was contacted by the Provider to assess the Resident at that time. Resident #27's HCP said the community Physician assessed the Resident and sent him/her to the hospital ED via ambulance. The HCP said the Resident was assessed at the hospital ED and was provided with one liter of IV fluids, a half-dose of antibiotic, and medication to treat symptoms of Parkinson's Disease that dissolved under his/her tongue. The HCP also said when the Resident was assessed at the ED, he/she was diagnosed with fecal impaction and ED staff manually disimpacted the Resident. Resident #27's HCP said he/she left the ED around midnight, and by that time the Resident had been admitted to the hospital for further assessment and was waiting in the ED for an inpatient bed. The HCP said when he/she left the hospital, Resident #27's mental status had improved, his/her eyes were open, and he/she was asking to drink liquids.
During an interview on 10/6/23 at 11:09 A.M., the DON said CNAs and Nurses documented resident fluid intake, and that if a resident was on I & O monitoring, the Nurses were responsible to total all fluid intake for their shift and document it on the resident's Treatment Administration Record. The DON said the TAR would indicate all the fluids the resident received on that shift. The surveyor and the DON reviewed Resident #27's fluid intake recorded on the TAR from 9/29/23 through 10/5/23, as listed above.
The DON also reviewed the Resident's food intake for 9/29/23 through 10/5/23 with the surveyor with the following findings:
-Of 20 meals provided during that timeframe (9/29/23 through 10/5/23), six meals had no record of monitoring.
-The lunch meal on 10/4/23 was recorded as the Resident having consumed 76-100% when the Resident did not eat any of the meal.
-Record of the lunch meal for 10/5/23 was also reviewed as it indicated the Resident ate no lunch, the documentation was completed prior to the lunch meal being provided.
When asked how Resident #27's food and fluid intake and urine output could be accurately assessed based on the facility's system for monitoring, the DON said the Nurses and CNAs needed to communicate more clearly about documenting fluid intake and if a resident's fluid intake fell below the amount stated in the facility policy, the Physician/NP should be notified as required. The DON also said food intake is supposed to be monitored for each meal and documented by the CNAs. The DON said accurately completing the Meal Intake Monitoring Record and Treatment Administration Record were the facility's means for tracking nutrition and hydration.
Please Refer to F692.
SERIOUS
(G)
Actual Harm - a resident was hurt due to facility failures
Deficiency F0692
(Tag F0692)
A resident was harmed · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, records reviewed, and interviews, the facility failed to provide necessary nutrition and hydration treatm...
Read full inspector narrative →
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, records reviewed, and interviews, the facility failed to provide necessary nutrition and hydration treatment, services, assessment and monitoring for one Resident (#27) out of a total sample of 19 residents.
Specifically, the facility failed to:
Provide necessary treatment and services to promote food and fluid consumption, and accurately monitor food and fluid intake for Resident #27 when the Resident was identified as having potential nutrition and swallowing problems. The facility also failed to assess and manage changes in the Resident's functional status pertaining to eating and drinking and an unidentified rectal fecal impaction (inability to evacuate large hard stool, most commonly found in the rectum), and provide required assistance from facility staff to eat and drink.
Findings include:
Review of the facility's policy titled, Intake and Output (I & O) Policy, undated, indicated:
-The Nursing personnel would keep an accurate record of a resident's fluid balance when the resident had a drainage collection device and/or per the Physician's order.
-Nursing personnel under the following circumstances and/or per the physician's order will keep an accurate record of a resident's fluid balance: On admission for 72 hours (3 days).
-Fluid output includes all fluid that leaves a resident's body, including urine .
-Whenever possible, output will be measured versus estimated.
-A resident's fluid output was to be documented in the intake and output form.
-The 11:00 P.M. through 7:00 A.M. (11-7) shift would total the intake of fluids for the previous 24-hour cycle and document in the 24-hour total intake space.
-The Nurse was required to notify the Physician if any one of the following occurred:
>1. A resident's fluid intake fell below 1000 mls (milliliters)/24 hours for a period of greater than 72 hours.
>2. A resident's 24-hour fluid intake fell below 500 mls.
Review of the facility's policy titled, Nutrition/Hydration Status Maintenance, undated, indicated:
-The facility would provide nutrition/hydration status maintenance services in accordance to State and Federal Regulations.
-Residents would be offered sufficient fluid intake to maintain proper hydration and health.
-Residents would be offered a therapeutic diet when there was a nutritional problem, and the health care provider ordered a therapeutic diet.
1. Resident #27 was admitted to the facility in August 2023 with diagnoses including Parkinson's Disease (a progressive disorder that affects the nervous system and the parts of the body controlled by the nerves), Oropharyngeal (the area of the throat behind the mouth and the tonsils) Phase Dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing food or liquid), and Muscle Weakness.
Review of Resident #27's Nursing admission assessment dated [DATE], indicated the Resident had muscle weakness, was alert and confused, had fair appetite and difficulty swallowing.
Review of Resident #27's Discharge Plan Care Plan initiated 8/23/23 indicated the Resident was to remain in the facility for long term care due to requiring 24-hour supervision and care.
Review of Resident #27's Behavioral Symptom Care Plan, initiated 8/23/23, indicated:
- The Resident could be resistive to care .
- Staff were to reiterate the purpose and advantages of treatment for the Resident.
Review of Resident #27's Nutritional Status Care Plan, initiated 8/24/23, indicated:
-The Resident had a potential nutrition risk related to medical condition requiring a mechanically altered diet.
-Staff were to monitor intakes and weights.
-Registered Dietician (RD)/Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) screen (brief meeting with an individual to determine strengths and weakness through informal measures) and treat PRN (as the situation demands).
Review of an RD Note, dated 8/24/23, included the following:
-House (a healthy meal plan that includes a variety of healthy foods from all the food groups), soft and bite-sized diet. Allow soft bread products and soft salad sandwiches.
-Appetite was 75-100%
-No supplements were in place.
-The Resident was independent after set-up for feeding.
-The Resident and Health Care Proxy (HCP-someone designated to make choices about one's care if they were unable to make those decisions) were happy with the diet texture.
-No interventions were required at that time.
-Will monitor intakes, weights .
Review of a Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment dated [DATE], indicated Resident #27 was severely cognitively impaired as evidenced by a score of five out of 15 possible points on the Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS).
Further review of the MDS assessment indicated the Resident had inattention and disorganized thinking, and required supervision and set-up for eating.
Further review of Resident #27's active Comprehensive Care Plan, dated 9/1/23, included:
-The Resident had tooth decay and staff were to encourage enough fluid consumption to keep his/her mouth moist and provide diet as ordered.
-The Resident had communication difficulties and staff were to allow him/her time to process information.
-The Resident was unable to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) independently and required continuous supervision at a ratio of one staff to eight residents for eating.
>ADLs could vary in the course of the day due to disease process of Parkinson's Disease with delusions (fixed, false conviction in something that is not real or shared by other people) and hallucinations (experience in which one sees, hears, feels, or smells something that does not exist).
>Assess Resident and carry out ADLs as needed.
>Evaluate Resident ability to perform ADLs.
>Notify MD/NP, Rehab of any decline if noted.
>Provide assistance as needed .
Review of Resident #27's Speech Therapy Discharge summary dated [DATE], indicated the Resident was able to swallow thin consistency liquids from an open cup using compensatory strategies (techniques used to help and individual perform tasks in a manner to be more independent) from trained staff.
Review of a Physician's order dated 9/26/23, indicated: Downgrade (reduce) thin liquids to nectar liquid consistency until further evaluation is done.
Review of Resident #27's clinical record included no evidence of a referral to the RD or SLP for further evaluation after the liquid downgrade was ordered.
On 9/29/23 from 8:58 A.M. through 9:11 A.M., the surveyor observed the following:
-Resident #27 was lying in bed with the head of the bed slightly elevated.
-The Resident's covered breakfast tray was sitting on a rolling overbed table, to the left of the Resident's bed, beside the window.
-Resident #27 pointed toward the breakfast tray and said he/she was hungry, pointed at the breakfast tray and said, It's over there.
-The surveyor observed the items on the tray included one full cup of juice, one full cup of coffee, one full cup of milk, one full covered bowl of cereal, and one covered plate of scrambled eggs and toast.
-The surveyor did not observe any staff entering the Resident's room to offer breakfast to the Resident or assist him/her with breakfast.
Review of a Nursing Progress Note, dated 10/1/23, indicated that Resident #27's HCP expressed a noted decline in the Resident's eating and drinking to the Director of Nursing (DON) and that the HCP wanted to give the Resident thin liquids.
Further review of the Nursing Progress Note indicated the DON explained the Resident's risk for aspiration/choking and Pneumonia to the HCP and that the NP would follow-up on this [sic].
On 10/3/23 between 8:40 A.M. and 8:53 A.M., the surveyor observed the following:
-Resident #27 was lying in bed sleeping.
-The Resident's breakfast tray was resting on a rolling overbed table to the Resident's left side, within reach of the Resident, and contained scrambled eggs, one piece of toast that was cut in half, one bowl of oatmeal, and one bowl of rice cereal. There were four individual unopened coffee creamers on the tray and one plastic cup which was positioned upside down. The surveyor did not observe any remnants of liquid in the cup. There was one covered metal mug on the tray that was full of thin consistency ice water. There were no other drinks on the tray.
-The surveyor did not observe any staff in the room assisting the Resident.
During an interview on 10/3/23 at 8:46 A.M. outside the Resident's room, Nurse #2 said Resident #27's liquid consistency had recently been downgraded to nectar thick from thin due to difficulty swallowing. Nurse #2 said the Resident's HCP had been attempting to provide thin consistency water to the Resident over the previous week or so due to the HCP having concerns that the Resident was not drinking enough liquids since the downgrade to nectar thick.
The surveyor, Nurse #2 and CNA #11 entered the Resident's room, and Nurse #2 further said the Resident could not have thin liquids and instructed CNA #11 to dump it. The CNA then removed the metal mug from the tray, entered the bathroom, and emptied the metal cup of ice water.
The surveyor did not observe any food or liquids being offered to the Resident during this time, and CNA #11 removed Resident #27's tray from his/her room.
During an interview on 10/3/23 at 11:30 A.M., Resident #27's HCP said he/she noticed the Resident had a recent decline in eating and drinking over the previous week, since the Resident's liquid consistency had been changed from thin to nectar thick. The HCP said he/she had concerns the Resident was not eating and drinking enough and that he/she would lose weight and become dehydrated. Resident #27's HCP also said the Resident had been refusing medications frequently, including medications used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's Disease and medications to regulate the Resident's bowels.
On 10/4/23 between 12:10 P.M. and 12:26 P.M., the surveyor observed the following:
-Resident #27 was lying in bed. His/her lunch tray was resting on a rolling overbed bedside table that was positioned against the wall by the window, to the left of the Resident.
-The surveyor observed that the meal tray contained one covered cup of thickened milk, one covered mug of water with a packet of unopened thickened coffee, one covered bowl with applesauce, and one covered plate that contained a stuffed pepper.
-The Resident pointed toward the meal tray but did not vocalize out loud to the surveyor. When the surveyor asked the Resident if anyone had offered him/her lunch, the Resident shook his/her head, indicating no. When asked if the Resident wanted lunch, he/she nodded his/her head, indicating yes.
-At 12:26 P.M., CNA #7 entered Resident #27's room. CNA #7 spoke to the Resident's roommate, then approached Resident #27 and asked if he/she wanted to get out of bed. Resident #27 said no and pointed at the overhead light in the room. CNA #7 asked the Resident if he/she wanted the light on, turned the light on, and left the room.
-The surveyor did not observe any staff offering Resident #27 assistance with his/her meal during this time, and the Resident's tray remained on the rolling overbed beside table against the wall by the window, to the left of the Resident.
Review of Resident #27's Meal Intake Monitoring Record for 10/4/23 indicated the Resident ate 76-100% of his/her lunch meal that day, when the surveyor's observation was the lunch tray was left in the room and no staff assisted the Resident with eating.
During a telephone interview on 10/5/23 at 10:30 A.M., the Nurse Practitioner (NP) said she was available to the facility by phone. The NP said she was aware Resident #27's HCP requested to be able to provide the Resident with thin liquids, but was not aware that the Resident had reduced food and thickened fluid intake. The NP said she had not assessed Resident #27's status that week as this was new information and that she would need to review the Resident's record and see the Resident in order to develop a clinical plan.
Review of Resident #27's Meal Intake Monitoring Record for 10/5/23 indicated the Resident ate no lunch that day and the Meal Intake Monitoring Record was completed at 10:53 A.M., which was prior to the lunch meal being served to the Resident.
On 10/5/23 at 11:45 A.M., the surveyor observed Resident #27 seated in a wheelchair beside his/her bed and the Resident's HCP was present and providing care to the Resident. Resident #27's HCP talked to the Resident and touched the Resident on his/her arms and hands, but the Resident did not respond. During an interview at the time, Resident #27's HCP told the surveyor the Resident had a scheduled outside appointment that afternoon and that transportation services were booked to pick the Resident up at 12:00 P.M. The Resident's HCP stated concern that the Resident had not yet received lunch since he/she would not be at the facility for the lunch meal. The HCP further said he/she did not know if the facility planned to send a lunch with Resident #27, so he/she brought some food from home for the Resident. The HCP then attempted to provide a spoonful of yogurt to Resident #27 which fell from the Resident's mouth. The HCP also attempted to provide a drink of water from an open cup, which also fell from the Resident's mouth. During a second attempt, the Resident accepted and swallowed one spoon of yogurt and one sip of water provided by the HCP while the HCP cued the Resident to swallow for the yogurt and water. Resident #27's HCP was observed encouraging the Resident to wake up so that he/she could talk with the Provider at the scheduled appointment later that day, but the Resident did not respond. The HCP said he/she had helped the Resident to get dressed that morning and that the Resident's clothes no longer fit and were too big on him/her. The HCP also said she thought the Resident had lost weight and was afraid he/she may have been dehydrated. Resident #27's HCP also said that he/she requested the Nurse to check the Resident's rectum for impaction on 10/4/23, as the Resident expressed feeling impacted and requested hospital transfer, but checking the rectum as requested did not occur. The HCP then told the surveyor the Resident's community Physician was located in the same building where the Resident was scheduled for an appointment that afternoon and he/she was hoping that the Physician could assess the Resident.
On 10/5/23 at 11:55 A.M., the surveyor observed CNA #7 remove Resident #27's lunch meal tray from the meal cart. When asked whether the Resident had been provided lunch as yet that day, CNA #7 said no, pointed to the tray on top of the cart, and said that the tray was Resident #27's lunch meal. CNA #7 said he was going to bring the meal to the Resident at that time. When the surveyor asked why the Resident's Meal Intake Monitoring Record was already completed for the lunch meal currently being served, CNA #7 said it should not have been. CNA #7 also said Resident #27 did not eat lunch the previous day on 10/4/23, so it should not have been recorded as 76-100% consumed on the Meal Intake Monitoring Record.
During an interview on 10/5/23 at 12:45 P.M., with Nurse #9 who was assigned to Resident #27, she said she worked through a staffing agency and that this was the first time she worked on the Unit. Nurse #9 said she could not provide an accurate assessment of Resident #27's baseline status because it was the first time she had seen the Resident and had nothing to compare it to, but that the Resident was very sleepy when she went in to provide his/her medications. Nurse #9 also said she did not know the facility's policy for monitoring fluid intake and output (I & O) for Resident's on I & O monitoring or where the policy could be located.
During an interview on 10/5/23 at 12:50 P.M., Nurse #5 (who was covering for the Unit Manager [UM]) said that when a resident had an outside appointment during meal time, the facility was supposed to provide an early meal for the resident. Nurse #5 said Resident #27 left the facility for a scheduled appointment at 12:00 P.M. that day, that she checked on him/her prior to leaving and saw a lunch tray in the room. Nurse #5 said she did not know if the Resident had an opportunity to eat lunch, but she did see the Resident's HCP feeding him/her some yogurt. When the surveyor asked whether five minutes was an adequate amount of time for Resident #27 to eat lunch prior to leaving for his/her appointment, Nurse #5 said she did not know why the Resident did not receve an early lunch tray. Nurse #5 also said that the Resident experienced a recent decline in ability to swallow, so she had contacted the NP and obtained an order for his/her liquid consistency to be downgraded from thin to nectar thick. Nurse #5 further said Resident #27 required someone to sit and talk with him/her, and take their time when providing food and fluids.
During a telephone interview on 10/5/23 at 2:52 P.M., the RD said if a resident had a change in nutrition, including eating or drinking, she would expect to be notified so she could assess the change. The RD said she was in the facility on 10/4/23, but was not asked to see Resident #27. The RD said that the fact that Resident #27 had a recent downgrade in liquid consistency and had reduced food and fluid intake would be cause for her to have assessed him/her (reason for a RD referral). The RD further said if she had been made aware of Resident #27's status, she would absolutely have seen him/her.
During an interview on 10/6/23 at 9:30 A.M., the Administrator said the facility did not have an SLP as of 9/21/23.
During an interview on 10/5/23 at 5:00 P.M., the DON said Resident #27 had been transferred to the hospital Emergency Department (ED) directly from his/her appointment due to the Resident being under-responsive while at the appointment.
Review of the hospital ED Note, dated 10/5/23, indicated Resident #27 presented to the ED with abdominal pain and question of worsening mental status. The Resident was provided with one liter of intravenous (IV: administered directly into a vein) fluid, Sinemet (medication used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's Disease) that was dissolvable as the Resident was not swallowing well, and Zosyn (antibiotic medication used to treat infection). A computed tomography (CT - computerized x-ray imaging procedure) scan was completed, notable for Stercoral Colitis (rare and severe condition where feces causes blockages within the colon) with possible rectal Pneumatosis (gas found within the wall of the bowel). Manual disimpaction (removal of stool from the rectum using a gloved finger that is used when a person is unable to pass stools due to severe constipation or fecal impaction) was performed in the ED and the plan was to admit the Resident to the hospital for further bowel regimen management.
During an interview on 10/6/23 at 8:38 A.M., Nurse #5 said prior to 10/4/23, earlier in the week, Resident #27's HCP questioned whether the Resident had been moving his/her bowels. Nurse #5 said she reviewed the Resident's bowel records which did not indicate a three-day period of no bowel movements, and she also assessed the Resident for bowel sounds, which were present, and abdominal distention, which was not present. Nurse #5 said when the Resident reported feeling impacted on 10/4/23, she again assessed the Resident for bowel sounds, which were present, and abdominal distension, which was not present. Nurse #5 said she offered an as needed (PRN) dose of Milk of Magnesia (medication that reduces stomach acid, and increases water in the intestines which may induce bowel movements), but the Resident refused. Nurse #5 did not say she checked the Resident's rectum for fecal impaction.
At this time, the surveyor and Nurse #5 reviewed the facility's policy relative to I & O and also reviewed the Resident #27's I & O monitoring on the September 2023 and October 2023 Treatment Administration Record (TAR). Nurse #5 said recording fluid intake on the TAR was the facility's process for accurately monitoring a Resident's fluid I & O. She said that upon review of Resident #27's I & O monitoring and the facility's policy, the NP should have been notified of the Resident's reduced fluid intake, but she coud not speak to what the NP knew.
During a telephone interview on 10/6/23 at 9:48 A.M., Resident #27's HCP said that at the Resident's baseline, he/she fed him/herself. The HCP said at times the Resident would not want to taste his/her meal, but if a taste of the meal was provided for him/her, he/she would then eat the whole meal. Resident #27's HCP said the Resident responded best to gentle talking and entering his/her reality when talking with him/her to engage the Resident in daily activities. Resident #27's HCP said the Resident was unable to respond to the Provider during his/her appointment on 10/5/23, so the Provider contacted the Resident's community Physician to assess the Resident which resulted in the Resident being sent to the hospital ED via ambulance. The HCP said the Resident was assessed at the hospital ED and was provided with one liter of IV fluid, a half-dose of antibiotic, and medication dissolved under his/her tongue to treat symptoms of Parkinson's Disease. The HCP also said the Resident was identified as having fecal impaction and ED staff manually disimpacted the Resident. Resident #27's HCP said he/she left the ED around midnight, and by that time the Resident's mental status had improved, his/her eyes were open, and he/she was asking to drink liquids.
During an interview on 10/6/23 at 11:09 A.M., the DON said CNAs and Nurses documented resident fluid intake, and that if a resident was on I & O monitoring, the Nurses were responsible to total all fluid intake for their shift and document it on the resident's TAR. The DON said the TAR would indicate all the fluids the resident received on that shift. The surveyor and the DON reviewed Resident #27's fluid intake recorded on the TAR from 9/29/23 through 10/5/23 with the following findings for the total 24-hr period:
-600 milliliters (mls) on 9/29/23
-840 mls on 9/30/23
-790 mls on 10/1/23
-280 mls on 10/2/23
-720 mls on 10/3/23
-940 mls on 10/4/23
-No entry for fluid intake on 10/5/23
At this time, the surveyor and the DON reviewed food intake monitoring records for Resident #27 from 9/29/23 through 10/5/23 with the following findings:
-Of 20 meals provided during that timeframe, six meals had no record of monitoring.
-The lunch meal on 10/4/23 was recorded as the Resident having consumed 76-100% when the Resident did not eat.
-Record of the lunch meal for 10/5/23 was also reviewed as it indicated the Resident ate no lunch and was completed prior to the lunch meal being provided to the Resident.
When the surveyor asked how Resident #27's food and fluid intake could be accurately assessed based on the facility's system for monitoring, the DON said the Nurses and CNAs needed to communicate more clearly about documenting fluid intake and if a resident's fluid intake fell below the amount stated in the facility policy, the Physician/NP should be notified as required. The DON also said food intake was supposed to be monitored for each meal and documented by the CNAs. The DON said accurately completing the Meal Intake Monitoring Record and Treatment Administration Record were the facility's means for tracking nutrition and hydration.
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0657
(Tag F0657)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** 2. Resident #14 was admitted to the facility in May 2011 with diagnoses including Schizoaffective Disorder (a mental health diso...
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**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** 2. Resident #14 was admitted to the facility in May 2011 with diagnoses including Schizoaffective Disorder (a mental health disorder that may include hallucinations or delusions and mood disorder symptoms, such as Depression or mania).
Review of the Resident's clinical record showed evidence that MDS Assessments were completed on the following dates:
-8/3/23
Review of the most recent Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment dated [DATE], indicated that Resident #14 was cognitively intact as evidenced by a Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) score of 15 out of 15.
Review of the clinical record indicated a Nursing Note on 9/12/23 that an IDT care plan meeting was held with a Nurse, Activities Director and Director of Social Services. The record further indicated that there was no evidence that the Resident and/or their Representative were invited to, or participated in the care plan meeting process.
During an interview on 10/5/23 at 10:59 A.M., SW #1 provided evidence of care plan meetings for the last year. She said that the receptionist sends out notices to Residents and/or their Representatives but they do not keep copies of notices. She further said that they do keep copies of care plan schedules from which notices were sent. She said that the receptionist checks off each person that she sends notices to, then she sends notices out based on the care plan schedule. She said that she was unable to provide evidence on the schedule that Resident #14 had a notice sent. SW #1 said she would look for additional evidence of the notices but did not provide any by the end of the survey period.
Based on records reviewed and interviews, the facility failed to develop, review, and revise comprehensive care plans with the interdisciplinary team (IDT) and include the participation of the Residents/Resident Representatives (RRs) for two Residents (#27 and #14), out of a total sample of 19 residents.
Specifically, the facility failed to:
1. Develop and review Resident #27's comprehensive care plan with the Resident and/or RR's participation when the RR was available for participation.
2. Notify Resident #14 and his/her RR of a scheduled interdisciplinary care plan meeting that was held to review the Resident's comprehensive care plan, resulting in the care plan review occurring without the Resident and/or his/her Representative participation.
Findings include:
Review of the facility policy titled, Interdisciplinary Care Planning, undated, included the following:
-The care planning schedules were developed by the case manager, social services, and nursing supervisors.
-Family members were notified by phone or mail.
-Meetings were held weekly depending on the resident's schedule.
1. Resident #27 was admitted to the facility in August 2023 with diagnoses including Parkinson's Disease.
Review of a Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment dated [DATE], indicated the Resident scored a total of five points out of 15 possible points on the Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS), indicating the Resident was severely cognitively impaired.
Review of Resident #27's clinical record included no evidence the Resident's comprehensive care plan was developed or reviewed with the IDT, to include the participation of the Resident/RR, as required.
During an interview on 10/3/23 at 11:30 A.M., Resident #27's Representative said he/she visited the Resident at the facility daily, but had never been invited to develop or review the Resident's comprehensive care plan with the IDT since the Resident had been admitted to the facility.
During an interview on 10/5/23 at 10:59 A.M., Social Worker (SW) #1 said there was no evidence Resident #27's comprehensive care plan was developed with the input of the Resident or RR after the Resident's comprehensive assessment was completed as required. SW #1 further said that a comprehensive care plan meeting should have been held and that the Resident and his/her Representative should have been invited to attend.
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
ADL Care
(Tag F0677)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** 2. Resident #51 was admitted to the facility in September 2021 with diagnoses including Hemiplegia (paralysis on one side of the...
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**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** 2. Resident #51 was admitted to the facility in September 2021 with diagnoses including Hemiplegia (paralysis on one side of the body) and Hemiparesis (another name for hemiplegia) following unspecified Cerebrovascular Disease (a group of conditions that affect blood flow and the blood vessels in the brain) affecting left non-dominant side due to old cardiovascular accident (CVA- medical term for a stroke), unspecified convulsions (sudden, violent, irregular movement of a limb or of the body, caused by involuntary contraction of muscles and associated especially with brain disorders), and generalized muscle weakness.
Review of Resident #51's MDS assessment dated [DATE], indicated the Resident was severely cognitively impaired as evidenced by a score of seven out of 15 total possible points on the Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS).
Further review of the MDS assessment indicated Resident #51 required extensive assist of one staff member for hygiene, which included groomimg.
Review of Resident #51's ADL Care Plan, revised 9/7/23, indicated the Resident was unable to complete ADLs independently and was totally dependent on two staff for grooming.
On 10/3/23 at 8:30 A.M., the surveyor observed Resident #51 seated in a wheelchair in the Day Room on Unit One. The Resident had facial hair, approximately one half to three quarters of an inch long on the sides of his/her face, across his/her chin, and over his/her top lip.
On 10/4/23 at 8:15 A.M., the surveyor observed Resident #51 in his/her bed. The Resident still had facial hair approximately one half to three quarters of an inch long on the sides of his/her face, across his/her chin, and over his/her top lip.
During an interview at the time, Resident #51 placed his/her right hand over the facial hair, rubbed it lightly and said he/she wanted it removed. The Resident said he/she meant to ask someone to remove it but he/she kept forgetting. Resident #51 then said, I really want it off.
During an interview on 10/4/23 at 8:29 A.M., CNA #4 said residents were groomed (shaved) on their shower days, but if they needed to be shaved in between their shower days, staff were to offer to shave them. CNA #4 said she noticed Resident #51 did have a lot of facial hair, but that she had never offered to shave him/her, as required.
During an interview on 10/4/23 at 8:43 A.M., CNA #6 said she began working at the facility a few weeks before and was familiar with Resident #51. CNA #6 said Resident #51 had never refused care when she has provided care for him/her and that the Resident was dependent on staff for ADL care. CNA #6 said the Resident did have a lot of facial hair, but she had never offered to remove it for the Resident, as required.
Based on observations, interviews, records and policy review, the facility failed to ensure that two Residents (#51 and #54) out of a total sample of 19 residents, were provided timely activities of daily living (ADLs - Daily self-care activities like grooming, eating, dressing) assistance.
Specifically, the facility staff failed to ensure:
1. For Resident #54, that timely assistance during meals and personal hygiene relative to nail care were provided.
2. For Resident #51, that timely assistance during meals and grooming assistance relative to facial hair were provided.
Findings include:
Review of the facility ADL/Maintain Abilities Policy, undated, indicated:
-the facility will create and sustain an environment that humanizes and individualizes each resident's quality of life by ensuring all staff, across all shifts and departments, understand the principles of quality of life, and honor and support these principles for each resident,
-and that the care and services provided are person-centered, and support each resident's preferences, choices, values and beliefs.
The policy also included the following:
-The facility will ensure a resident is given appropriate treatment and services to maintain or improve his or her ability to carry out the activities of daily living.
-The facility would provide care and services for the following ADLs: hygiene (bathing, dressing, grooming, and oral care) .
-A resident who is unable to carry out ADLs will receive the necessary services to maintain good nutrition, grooming, and personal and oral hygiene .
1. Resident #54 was admitted to the facility in March 2023 with diagnoses including severe Dementia with other behavioral disturbance, severe protein-calorie malnutrition (nutritional status in which reduced availability of nutrients leads to changes in body composition and function), Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), Aphasia (difficulty with speech) and adult failure to thrive (state of decline that is multifactorial and include weight loss, poor nutrition and inactivity).
Review of a Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment dated [DATE], indicated Resident #54:
-had severe cognitive impairment as evidenced by staff assessment.
-required extensive assistance of one staff with dressing and personal hygiene.
-supervision with eating, and was on a mechanically altered diet (foods/fluids that are altered by blending, grinding, or chopping so they can be easily chewed/swallowed).
Review of the ADL Care Plan initiated 3/15/23, and last reviewed/revised 9/14/23, indicated Resident #54 was unable to complete ADLs independently related to his/her Dementia, and included the following:
-Provide assist of one to two staff/dependent for grooming.
-Provide continual supervision/assist of one staff with eating.
-ADLs can vary in the course of the day, provide additional support if Resident is noted with agitation/fatigue.
Review of the Nutrition Care Plan initiated 6/15/23, and last reviewed/revised 9/22/23, indicated Resident #54 was at increased nutritional risk related to mechanically altered diet and low body weight. The plan included the following interventions:
-Provide diet and supplements as ordered.
-Provide fortified foods as ordered.
-Monitor intake of food and fluids.
-Assist with meal intake.
Review of the Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Profile Care Plan Approaches (information for the CNAs relative to specific resident needs) initiated 3/15/23, indicated that the Resident's ADLs can vary in the course of the day and for staff to provide additional support if he/she has agitation/fatigue. The Profile Care Plan Approaches also indicated the following:
-Assist of one to two staff/dependent for grooming.
-Continual supervision/assist of one staff with eating.
Review of the September 2023 and October 2023 Physician's orders included the following, initiated on 3/15/23:
-Regular Pureed Diet with Nectar thick liquids.
-Fortified cereal at breakfast and fortified mashed potatoes at lunch and dinner.
-House supplement with meals.
On 9/29/23 at 9:54 A.M., the surveyor observed Resident #54 lying in bed, dressed in a hospital gown with a privacy curtain almost surrounding the bed. The Resident's eyes were open and he/she was looking up towards the ceiling. The surveyor observed a breakfast tray on top of the Resident's dresser, that was inaccessible to the Resident and was untouched (covered beverages/hot cereal). The Resident was thin in appearance and was non-verbal when the surveyor attempted to interview him/her. At 10:45 A.M., the surveyor observed Resident #54 in the same position, lying in bed. The breakfast tray was still positioned on the dresser in the same location, and remained covered and untouched.
On 10/3/23 from 7:37 A.M. through 8:46 A.M., Resident #54 was observed lying in bed.
-At 8:46 A.M., the surveyor observed the Resident's breakfast tray located on the meal cart and was untouched. During an interview at the time with CNA #2, she said Resident #54 sleeps late and breakfast items are taken off his/her tray and put into the room for when he/she wakes up. The surveyor observed a covered bowl, a covered cup of milk, and a covered cup of orange juice on the Resident's meal tray which was located on the meal cart.
-At 8:51 A.M., the surveyor observed Resident #54 lying in bed with his/her eyes closed. A covered bowl, a clean spoon and an unopened container of whole milk were observed on the dresser in the Resident's room.
-At 9:09 A.M., the food/beverage items remained in the same position within the Resident's room.
-At 9:29 A.M., the surveyor observed CNA #4 in Resident #54's room assisting him/her with breakfast.
During an interview at the time, CNA #4 said that she heated up the Resident's milk and bowl of hot cereal prior to assisting him/her with the meal.
On 10/3/23 at 1:19 P.M., the surveyor observed Resident #54 ambulating near the nurses station. The Resident had dried food on his/her chin and his/her nails had dark material underneath them.
On 10/4/23 from 8:17 A.M. through 8:52 A.M., the surveyor observed the following:
- 8:17 A.M., the meal cart was brought to the hallway where Resident #54 resides.
- 8:26 A.M., the surveyor observed tray pass begin from this meal cart.
- 8:31 A.M. CNA #10 took two used cups from an overbed table in the hallway and put them on the meal cart where unpassed resident trays were located.
- At 8:43 A.M., the surveyor observed Resident #54 lying in bed with his/her eyes open, and muttering unintelligibly. The surveyor did not observe a breakfast tray for the Resident in his/her room. The meal cart was observed to be located outside of the Resident's room and included Resident #54's untouched breakfast tray, which had not been passed. The tray had several covered items including a fortified cereal, 4 ounces (oz) of nectar thick orange juice, a container of magic cup ice cream and 4 oz of house supplement. The surveyor also observed several used (dirty) cups placed on the Resident's meal tray.
During an observation and interview on 10/4/23 at 8:52 A.M., CNA #10 said that Resident #54 was a late sleeper and was offered breakfast when he/she wakes up. CNA #10 said that the Resident's breakfast tray should be saved in the unit kitchenette until he/she was awake. The surveyor and CNA #10 observed the meal cart which had Resident #54's untouched breakfast tray and also had several dirty cups on the tray. CNA #10 said that the dirty items should not have been placed there. CNA #10 removed the covered hot cereal, milk, and orange juice from the tray and said that she would put it in the kitchenette to be reheated for the Resident when he/she is awake. When the surveyor asked how the staff knew Resident #54 was ready to be assisted with breakfast, CNA #10 said that the Resident will have his/her eyes open when he/she was ready to be up and offered breakfast. The surveyor relayed the observation from 8:43 A.M., that Resident #54 was awake and making verbalizations. Shortly after the interview, the surveyor observed CNA #5 enter the Resident's room and close the door.
On 10/4/23 at 9:28 A.M., the surveyor observed Resident #54 seated in stationary chair in the hallway, dressed, and with an overbed table placed in front of him/her. The Resident was thin appearing and had multiple cups containing liquids placed in front of him/her. The Resident's nails were observed to be jagged and still had dark material underneath.
During an interview on 10/4/23 at 9:50 A.M., with CNA #5 who was caring for Resident #54, she said that she assisted the Resident with ADL care and with breakfast. She said that breakfast should be offered to the Resident when he/she was awake. CNA #5 further said the Resident is not receptive to feeding assistance at times but should be encouraged by staff to eat and drink.
During a subsequent interview on 10/4/23 at 12:07 P.M., CNA #5 said that Resident #54 was dependent for all care related to dressing and grooming. She said that nail care should be provided twice daily, once in the morning and then at night. When asked about the Resident's nails, CNA #5 said that she did not provide nail care that morning.
During an observation on 10/4/23 at 12:10 P.M., the surveyor observed Resident #54 ambulating near the nurses station. He/she was dressed and was observed to have the same dark colored matter under his/her nails.
During an observation and interview on 10/4/23 at 12:40 P.M., Unit Manager (UM) #1 said she noticed that Resident #54's nails were very dirty and needed to be cleaned. When the surveyor asked about when nail care was provided, UM #1 said that it should be provided during morning and evening care. UM #1 said Resident #54 was dependent on staff for ADL care and was often awake by 8:00 A.M. but sometimes slept late. She said that if Resident #54 was awake when the breakfast meal was being served, he/she should be provided with care and have breakfast served to him/her. She further said if the Resident was sleeping, then the breakfast meal should be put in the unit kitchenette and reheated prior to serving when he/she awakens. UM #1 said that the Resident's food should not be left out for extended periods of time on his/her dresser or left in the room if he/she was not eating.
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Accident Prevention
(Tag F0689)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, records reviewed, and interviews, the facility failed to provide two residents (#12 and #54) with an envi...
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**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, records reviewed, and interviews, the facility failed to provide two residents (#12 and #54) with an environment as free of accident hazards as possible.
Specifically, the facility failed to:
1. Implement effective fall prevention interventions for Resident #12, to reduce the risk for fall related injuries when the Resident was identified as having a seizure disorder, abnormal gait, and a history of falling, and sustained frequent falls resulting in striking his/her head and sustaining upper extremity bruising and skin tears.
2. Ensure supervision was provided to minimize accidents/hazards related to falls, drinking fluids not ordered by the Physician, and potential resident to resident interactions for Resident #54.
Findings include:
Review of the facility's policy, titled Falls Accident/Accident Policy and Procedure, revised 2/24/22, included the following:
-The purpose was to identify residents at high risk for falls and alteration in skin integrity and establish appropriate individualized interventions, and review all resident falls for causal factors in order to reduce the incidence and severity of resident falls.
-The facility would provide an environment that is free from accident hazards over which the facility has control and provides supervision and assistive devices to each resident to prevent avoidable accidents, including: identifying hazard(s) and risk(s), evaluating and analyzing hazard(s) and risk(s), implementing interventions to reduce hazard(s) and risk(s), and monitoring for effectiveness and modifying interventions when necessary.
1. Resident #12 was admitted to the facility in January 2019 with diagnoses including other Seizures, other abnormalities of Gait and Mobility, Dementia, Subdural Hygroma (accumulation of fluid in the area between the outermost and middle layer of the membranes that cover the brain), and frequent falls resulting in striking his/her head and sustaining upper extremity bruising and skin tears.
Review of a Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment, dated 8/1/23, indicated Resident #12 was severely cognitively impaired, as evidenced by a score of six out of 15 on the Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS).
Further review of the MDS assessment indicated the Resident required supervision of one staff member for transfers and walking.
Review of Resident #12's active Fall Care Plan, last reviewed 10/1/23, indicated the following:
-The Resident was at risk for falls due to the use of antidepressant medication and orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure that happens when you stand up from sitting or lying down).
-Safety signage in room to cue Resident to ask for assistance with transfers, initiated 8/26/23.
Review of Resident Event Reports provided by the facility indicated Resident #12 sustained falls on the following dates:
-6/24/23 without injury
-7/21/23 without injury
-8/9/23 where the Resident experienced a head strike
Review of Resident #12's Fall Risk Assessment completed 8/7/23, indicated the Resident was at risk for falls as evidenced by a score of 15.0.
Review of a Resident Event Report dated 8/26/23, indicated that Resident #12 sustained a fall at 12:00 A.M. while ambulating and the Resident was transferred to the hospital.
Review of the Interdisciplinary Post Fall Evaluation, dated 8/26/23, indicated the following:
-Resident #12 fell while ambulating to the bathroom independently, and the fall was unwitnessed by staff.
-Safety devices at the time of the fall included call bell in place and low bed.
-Conditions that may have contributed to the fall included unsteady gait, history of falls, and non-compliance.
-The intervention recommendations included safety signage to ask for help.
Review of the hospital Emergency Department (ED) Discharge Note dated 8/26/23, indicated:
-The Resident's reason for visit was that the Resident fell from standing when he/she tried to get up to use the bathroom.
-The Resident did not know if he/she hit his/her head.
-The Resident sustained skin tears to his/her left forearm and an abrasion to his/her right posterior ribs with tenderness to palpation.
-The Resident was found to have a subdural hygroma that was likely chronic.
On 9/29/23 at 8:44 A.M., the surveyor observed Resident #12 in his/her room, seated on the edge of the bed. The Resident had a dark purple, slightly asymmetrical bruise to his/her left outer elbow and an uncovered, scabbed over asymmetrical skin impairment to the right outer forearm. There was no safety signage to ask for help observed anywhere in the Resident's room.
During an interview at this time, Resident #12 said he/she was unsure how the bruise was sustained, but that he/she probably bumped it on something or fell.
-Review of a Resident Event Report dated 10/2/23, indicated Resident #12 sustained a fall at 8:00 P.M. while ambulating and sustained a skin tear to his/her left upper extremity.
Review of the Interdisciplinary Post Fall Evaluation dated 10/2/23, indicated the following:
-The Resident sustained an unwitnessed fall during an unassisted transfer at 8:00 P.M. and was found at the bedside on his/her buttocks.
-Conditions that may have contributed to the fall included unsteady gait, history of falls, and non-compliance.
-The immediate intervention taken to protect the Resident/prevent re-occurrence indicated: Re-educate Resident on importance of using call bell to ask for assistance.
-Further intervention recommendations were not indicated.
On 10/3/23 at 9:00 A.M., the surveyor observed Resident #12 in his/her room, seated on the edge of the bed. The Resident still presented with a bruise to the left outer elbow and an uncovered, scabbed over asymmetrical skin impairment to the right outer forearm. The Resident also had a bandage on the left outer forearm, adjacent to the bruise on the left elbow, and there was a large blue colored bruise on the Resident's back upper arm, between the elbow and armpit area. No safety signage to ask for help was observed in the Resident's room.
During an interview at this time, Resident #12 said he/she did not know how he/she sustained the bruise to his/her right back upper arm or the skin tear to his/her left outer forearm.
During a follow-up interview on 10/3/23 at 1:23 P.M., Resident #12 said he/she had no problem being able to get up and walk to the bathroom without assistance. When asked if the Resident had ever been instructed to ask for help, the Resident said, that's a good question. The Resident then looked up at the ceiling, then back at the surveyor and said he/she couldn't remember whether anyone had instructed him/her to ask for help when getting up.
During an interview on 10/3/23 at 2:43 P.M., Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) #7 said Resident #12 often attempted to ambulate on his/her own and that if he saw the Resident attempting to get up, he would enter the room and assist the Resident. CNA #7 further said that he had never seen any safety signage to call for help anywhere in Resident #12's room.
During an interview on 10/3/23 at 4:24 P.M., the Director of Nursing (DON) said Resident #12 was non-compliant and very forgetful. The DON said safety signage to remind the Resident to call for help had been implemented in the Resident's room as a fall prevention intervention and should have been posted on the Resident's bureau.
On 10/3/23 at 4:24 P.M., the surveyor observed Resident #12's room with the DON. No safety signage to call for help was observed anywhere in the room, as required.
2. Resident #54 was admitted to the facility in March 2023 with diagnoses including Dementia with severe behavioral disturbance, seizure disorder, generalized muscle weakness, abnormal gait and history of falls.
Review of the MDS assessment dated [DATE], indicated Resident #54:
-had severe cognitive impairment as determined by staff interview,
-exhibited inattention and altered level of consciousness that fluctuates,
-required extensive assistance of transfers and ambulation,
-had a fall with fracture prior to admission,
-was not steady with transfers and ambulation,
-required staff for stabilization,
-and was receiving physical therapy during the reference period.
Review of the Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Care Plan, initiated 3/15/23, and last reviewed/revised on 9/14/23, indicated Resident #54 was unable to complete ADLs independently due to a Dementia diagnosis and included the following approaches initiated on 3/15/23:
-Ambulation: continual supervision/assist of one
-Locomotion: continual supervision/assist of one
-Transfer: continual supervision/assist of one
-Eating: continual supervision/assist of one
-ADL can vary in the course of the day. Provide additional support if the Resident was noted to have agitation/fatigue
Review of the Falls Care Plan initiated 3/15/23, and last reviewed/revised on 9/14/23, indicated Resident #54 was at risk for falls related to falls with injury prior to admission, diagnosis of Dementia with behavioral disturbances, frail, and emaciated appearance. The plan of care included the following interventions initiated 3/15/23:
-Encourage participation in meaningful activity.
-Keep personal items and frequently used items within reach.
-Provide resident an environment free of clutter,
and initiated 5/2/23:
-Assist resident through high traffic areas such as dayrooms.
Review of the Resident #54's clinical record indicated the Resident sustained five falls since admission, four of which were unwitnessed by staff.
Review of the facility fall investigations that were unwitnessed indicated the following:
-Fall on 5/2/23 in the dayroom at 3:30 P.M. in front of the television. The Resident had no injury and the plan of care was adjusted to include the following intervention: Assist the Resident through high traffic areas
-Fall on 5/7/23 while ambulating in the hallway at 4:45 P.M. and hit the back of his/her head resulting in a hematoma.
-Fall on 6/8/2023 at 1:45 P.M. while ambulating in the dayroom. The Resident hit his/her head on the molding, was sent to the hospital for evaluation and returned. The plan of care was updated to include the following intervention: Assist the Resident through crowded areas, place Resident in a seat in the dayroom and provide one to one assistance when he/she was tired.
-Fall on 7/27/23 at 3:15 P.M. while ambulating in front of the nursing station. The Resident sustained a cut to his/her upper lip.
Review of the Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Profile Care Plan Approaches (information for the CNAs relative to specific resident needs) initiated 3/15/23, indicated that the Resident's ADLs can vary in the course of the day and for staff to provide additional support if he/she had agitation/fatigue. The Profile Care Plan Approaches also indicated the following:
-continual supervision/assist of one with ambulation and transfers
-continual supervision/assist of one with eating
Review of the September and October 2023 Physician's orders included the following initiated 3/15/23:
-Regular Pureed Diet with Nectar thick liquids.
On 10/3/23 at 1:19 P.M., the surveyor observed Resident #54 ambulating in the hallway near the nurses station. The Resident approached Resident #63 who was seated in a stationary chair in an alcove across from the nurses station and attempted to sit on his/her lap. Resident #63 redirected Resident #54 away from him/her and then Resident #54 ambulated to the nurses station where a covered cup with a straw containing thin water was placed on top of the counter and was accessible. Resident #54 reached for the cup of water but was redirected by the surveyor who removed the cup and placed it out of reach. There were no staff present during this time and several minutes later, a Nurse was observed to enter the nurses station. The surveyor relayed the observations pertaining to Resident #54 and the Nurse thanked the surveyor and said the Resident could not have the thin beverage in the covered cup.
On 10/3/23 at 4:04 P.M., the surveyor observed Resident #54 ambulating in the area across from the nurses station. He/she approached Resident #17 who was seated in a stationary chair in the area. Resident #17 was observed to state get away from me in an angry tone of voice, and Resident #54 was observed to walk away. There were no staff present during the interaction.
On 10/4/23 at 11:50 A.M., the surveyor observed Resident #54 sit in a stationary chair positioned directly next to Resident #17 in the alcove across from the nurses station. Resident #54 and was leaning and touching the overbed table which was positioned in front of Resident #17. Resident #17 was heard to say in a very stern tone keep your hands off me and then grab Resident #54's hands and pushed them towards his/her body and away from the overbed table. The Unit Manager (UM) #1 had approached the nurses station at the time of the interaction and removed Resident #54 away from Resident #17.
Review of the Healthcare Facility Reporting System (HCFRS) indicated Resident #54 and Resident #17 previously had a resident to resident altercation on 7/26/23 that was reported.
During an interview on 10/4/23 at 12:40 P.M., UM #1 said Resident #54 needed to be supervised by staff due to his/her cognitive status and increased risk of falls. She said that he/she required supervision to redirect him/her away from other residents and unsafe situations. UM #1 said that Resident #54 does not sit for long periods of time, but mostly ambulates throughout the unit. When the surveyor relayed the safety concerns related to Resident #54 attempting to sit on another Resident's lap and numerous interactions with Resident #17 that were observed, in addition to the observation of the Resident attempting to drink unthickened liquids that did not belong to him/her, that were left on the counter of the nurses station, UM #1 said that staff need to monitor and supervise Resident #54 at all times but depending on the staffing, this could be a problem. She also said that the facility uses agency staff who do not always know the residents care needs.
During an interview on 10/4/23 at 2:57 P.M., CNA #3, who said she often cares for Resident #54, said that he/she ambulates around the unit, had a history of falls and can at times be unsteady. CNA #3 said that because the Resident was not able sit for long periods of time and participate in activities, that he/she needed to always be supervised by staff because he/she wanders into other resident rooms or resident spaces. CNA #3 said that Resident #54 does not eat well but does drink well and will grab items from the nurse station if items are placed there so things should not be left there. She further said that Resident #17 does not like other residents in his/her personal space, so staff also need to monitor when others are around him/her, especially Resident #54 because he/she does not understand.
During a subsequent interview on 10/4/23 at 3:18 P.M., UM #1 said she saw the interaction between Resident #54 and Resident #17 out of the corner of her eye. She said that Resident #17 likes his/her personal space and does not want other residents near him/her. When the surveyor asked UM #1 how the facility staff keep residents safe, especially Resident #54, she said that the staff are to supervise the common areas and hallways at all times. She said that one staff member should be in each of the three hallways, and one should be in the dayroom/unit dining room if a scheduled activity was not occurring. She further said that by having staff located in the hallways, they were able to monitor residents who wander and were also able to see the nurses station/alcove area across from the nurses station. When the surveyor asked when this process was instituted, UM #3 said that this supervision from staff has been in place prior to her position which started three years ago.
On 10/6/23 at 11:19 A.M., the surveyor reviewed the circumstances including times/locations of Resident #54's unwitnessed falls with UM #1, as well as observations made during the survey period. UM #1 said that Resident #54 needed to be watched more closely by staff and if the CNAs were providing care and unable to be supervising, then other staff including the Nurses, Activities and other staff need to assist with providing supervision. When the surveyor asked what continual supervision meant, UM #1 said that continual supervision was when staff have eyes on a person at all times.
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0698
(Tag F0698)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure one Resident (#33), out of 2 applicable residents who receiv...
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**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure one Resident (#33), out of 2 applicable residents who receive dialysis (removal of toxins from the blood in people whose kidneys stop working properly), out of a total sample of 19 residents, received care and services relative to dialysis services.
Specifically, the facility staff failed to ensure that Resident #33 received breakfast as required and medications as ordered by the Physician on scheduled dialysis days.
Findings include:
Review of the facility policy titled, Dialysis, undated, indicated the facility must ensure that residents who require dialysis receive such services, consistent with professional standards of practice, the comprehensive person-centered care plan, and the residents' goals and preferences.
Resident #33 was admitted to the facility in August 2014 with diagnoses including End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD - medical condition in which a person's kidneys cease to function normally leading to a need for regular dialysis or kidney transplant to maintain life) and Diabetes.
Review of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment dated [DATE], indicated Resident #33 was cognitively intact as evidenced by a Brief Interview of Mental Status (BIMS) score of 15 out of 15, had no behaviors or rejections of care and was on dialysis.
On 9/29/23 at 11:45 A.M., the surveyor observed Resident #33 seated in a wheelchair in his/her room watching television. During an interview at the time, the Resident stated that he/she was hungry and wanted something to eat. When the surveyor asked if he/she ate something prior to going to dialysis or at dialysis during the treatment, Resident #33 said no. A staff member who entered the room during the interview, said that breakfast was no longer being served but told the Resident that lunch would be served shortly. The surveyor observed no fluids or food items in the Resident's room during the interview.
Review of the Dehydration/Fluid Maintenance Plan of Care, initiated 11/23/2015 and reviewed/revised 9/21/23, indicated Resident #33 was started on dialysis on 1/28/2016 for Chronic Kidney Failure and included the following interventions:
-Refer to the dietary plan of care.
-Medications dose adjustments/time changes to accommodate dialysis schedule.
Review of the September and October 2023 Physician's orders included the following:
-Dialysis three times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, pick up at 5:30 A.M., initiated 3/30/21.
-Two bowls of cereal and 8 ounces (oz) of milk to be provided prior to dialysis treatments on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays at 5:00 A.M., initiated 3/30/21.
-Obtain blood pressures daily at 8:00 A.M., initiated 10/12/21.
-Lamisil AT (antifungal cream) 1% topically twice daily at 8:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M., initiated 2/2/23.
-Eliquis (anticoagulant medication) 5 milligrams (mg) every 12 hours at 8:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M., initiated 6/8/23.
Review of the September 2023 Medication Administration Record (MAR) indicated the following on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (the Resident's scheduled dialysis days):
-Blood pressures scheduled daily at 8:00 A.M. were documented as administered after 11:00 A.M. (three hours after the scheduled time) on eight occurrences. On two dates (9/6/23 and 9/20/23), the Nurse documented that the Resident was not available.
-Lamisil AT cream scheduled daily at 8:00 A.M. was documented as administered after 11:00 A.M. (three hours after the scheduled time) on eight occurrences.
-Eliquis 5 mg scheduled daily at 8:00 A.M. was documented as administered after 11:00 A.M. (three hours after the scheduled time) on eight occurrences.
Review of the October 2023 MAR, from 10/1/23 through 10/6/23, indicated the following on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (the Resident's scheduled dialysis days):
-Blood pressures scheduled for 8:00 A.M. were documented as administered after 1:00 P.M. (five hours after the scheduled time) on two days. On one date (10/6/23), the Nurse documented that the Resident was not available.
-Lamisil AT cream scheduled daily at 8:00 A.M. was documented as administered after 12:00 P.M. (four hours after the scheduled time) on two occurrences. On 10/6/23, the Nurse documented that the Resident was not available.
-Eliquis 5 mg scheduled daily at 8:00 A.M. was documented as administered after 12:00 P.M. (four hours after the scheduled time) on two occurrences. On one date (10/6/23), the Nurse documented that the Resident was not available.
Further review of the September and October 2023 MARs did not indicate if breakfast was provided to Resident #33 as ordered, on scheduled dialysis days prior to him/her leaving for treatment.
On 10/4/23 at 3:52 P.M., the surveyor observed Resident #33 seated in a wheelchair in his/her room watching television. During an interview at the time, the Resident said that he/she had dialysis this morning and that the communication book goes with him/her from the facility to the clinic. Resident #33 said that no medications are sent with him/her to dialysis but medications are given at the dialysis clinic during the treatment. The Resident said a bagged meal/snack was not sent with him/her nor does the facility provide breakfast prior to him/her leaving for dialysis treatments.
During an interview on 10/5/23 at 6:53 A.M., with Nurse #8, who is a regular 11:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M. staff familiar with Resident #33's care, she said that the Resident gets up prior to dialysis, gets washed and dressed, is given medications and provided with Nepro (a nutritional supplement) and then picked up for dialysis around 5:15 A.M. She said the Resident's dialysis communication binder goes with him/her but that no medications or bagged lunch/snack are sent with him/her. When the surveyor asked if the Resident receives breakfast prior to dialysis, Nurse #8 said no.
During an interview on 10/5/23 at 3:09 P.M., the Food Service Director (FSD) said that a bagged meal is sent only if the kitchen is notified that one is needed but there was no routine schedule for residents who go out to dialysis. He further said that he cannot recall when the staff last called to request a breakfast meal for Resident #33.
During an interview on 10/6/23 at 10:58 A.M., Unit Manager (UM) #1 said that Resident #33 should receive a Nepro nutritional supplement prior to leaving for dialysis. In addition, she said that a sandwich or snacks should be sent in his/her dialysis bag in case the Resident gets hungry at dialysis. When the surveyor inquired about the Physician's order for two bowls of cereal and 8 oz of milk that was ordered prior to dialysis on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, UM #1 said that if there was an order, then it should be provided. UM #1 further said that the Resident's medications should be scheduled around his/her dialysis schedule. If the medications were scheduled to be administered at 8:00 A.M. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, they could not be administered timely because the Resident was not at the facility during that time and should be ordered to be administered either before or after dialysis. She further said she would need to check into the Eliquis, Lamisil AT cream and blood pressure checks scheduled at 8:00 A.M. on dialysis days.
During an interview and review of the October 2023 MAR on 10/6/23 at 11:05 A.M., with Nurse #6, she said she has worked with Resident #33 on a few occasions and said that certain medications and treatments like the Eliquis, Lamisil AT and blood pressures that were scheduled for 8:00 A.M. could not be administered because the Resident was at dialysis. She further said the mediations and treatments should be scheduled around his/her dialysis schedule, and that the Resident typically returns from dialysis between 11:00-11:30 A.M.
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Unnecessary Medications
(Tag F0759)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observations, interviews and records reviewed, the facility failed to maintain a medication pass error rate of less than five percent (%) for two Residents (#4 and #99), out of five applicabl...
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Based on observations, interviews and records reviewed, the facility failed to maintain a medication pass error rate of less than five percent (%) for two Residents (#4 and #99), out of five applicable residents, out of 32 opportunities.
Specifically, the medication error rate was observed to be 6.5% when:
1. For Resident #4, relative to the administration of eye drops not given as ordered.
2. For Resident #99, relative to the total dose of Potassium Chloride medications not given as ordered by the Practitioner.
Findings include:
Review of the Facility's policy, titled Medication Administration, undated, indicated medications are administered in accordance with written orders of the attending Physician or Physician extender.
1.Resident #4 was admitted to the facility in October 2021 with a diagnosis of Neurocognitive Disorder with Lewy bodies (a type of dementia that leads to a decline in thinking, reasoning, and independent function).
On 10/3/23 at 8:26 A.M., during a medication pass administration, the surveyor observed Nurse #3 remove oral (by mouth) medications from the medication cart, together with Artificial Tears eye drops. Nurse #3 took the Artificial Tears eye drops together with the oral medications to the Resident. Nurse #3 was observed to administer the oral medications to Resident #4 but was not observed instilling the Artificial Tears eye drops to Resident #4's eyes.
Review of the Physician's order dated October 2023, indicated: Artificial Tears, one drop in each eye twice a day.
Review of the Medication Administration Record (MAR), dated October 2023, indicated Artificial Tears with directions to instill one drop in each eye two times a day for Resident #4 had been signed off as administered on 10/3/23 at 8:00 A.M.
During an interview on 10/3/23 at 9:04 A.M., Nurse #3 said she should have given Resident #4 his/her eye drops but she did not.
2. Resident #99 was admitted to the Facility in June 2021 with diagnoses of Schizophrenia and syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (a condition where the body produces too much antidiuretic hormone).
On 10/3/23 at 7:55 A.M. during a medication pass administration, the surveyor observed Nurse #2 take one Sodium Chloride 1 gram (gm) tablet from the medication cart. The surveyor then observed Nurse #2 administer the one Sodium Chloride 1 gm tablet to Resident #99.
Review of Physician's order dated July 2023, indicated: Sodium Chloride tablet, 1 gm, give two tablets to equal 2 grams (gms) by mouth four times a day.
Review of the October 2023 MAR, indicated Sodium Chloride tablet one gram, administer two tablets for a total dose of two grams orally (by mouth) had been signed off as administered on 10/3/23 at 8:00 A.M.
During an interview on 10/3/23 at 9:07 A.M., Nurse #2 said she should have given Resident #99 two Sodium Chloride 1 gram tablets, but she only administered one Sodium Chloride 1 gram tablet to Resident #99.
During an interview on 10/3/23 at 11:25 A.M., the Director of Nursing (DON) said Nurses are expected to give medications as ordered but Nurse #2 had not.
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Resident Rights
(Tag F0550)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations and interviews, the facility failed to ensure that four Residents (#37, #42, #9 and #57) out of total samp...
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**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations and interviews, the facility failed to ensure that four Residents (#37, #42, #9 and #57) out of total sample of 19 residents, were afforded a dignified dining experience.
Specifically, the facility staff failed to be seated next to the Residents while assisting them during meals on one (Unit Two) of two units observed.
Finding include:
On 9/29/23 at 8:23 A.M., the surveyor observed the breakfast meal distribution in the Unit Two Dining Room where 14 residents were present. At 8:33 A.M., Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) #1 was observed standing while assisting Resident #37 with his/her meal while the Resident was seated at a dining room table. After several minutes, CNA #1 then walked over to Resident #42 who was seated in a geriatric chair and continued to stand while assisting him/her with the breakfast meal.
Review of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment dated [DATE], indicated Resident #37 had severe cognitive impairment as evidenced by staff interview and required supervision (cueing and encouragement) of one staff with eating.
Review of the MDS assessment dated [DATE], indicated Resident #42 was rarely/never understood, had severe cognitive impairment as evidenced by staff interview, and required total assistance of one staff with eating.
On 10/3/23 at 7:56 A.M., the surveyor observed the breakfast meal distribution in the Unit Two Dining Room where 16 residents were present. At 8:12 A.M., CNA #1 set up a breakfast tray for Resident #9, who was seated at a table in a geriatric chair, and then assisted the Resident with the meal while standing next to him/her. At 8:24 A.M., CNA #1 assisted Resident #37 and Resident #57, who were both seated in wheelchairs at the dining room table, with their meals while standing beside them.
Review of the MDS assessment dated [DATE], indicated Resident #9 had severe cognitive impairment as evidenced by staff interview, and required extensive assistance of one staff with eating.
Review of the MDS assessment dated [DATE], indicated Resident #57 had moderate cognitive impairment as evidenced by staff interview, and required limited assistance of one person with meals.
On 10/4/23 at 7:55 A.M., the surveyor observed the breakfast meal distribution in the Unit Two Dining Room where ten Residents were present in the dining room. At 7:59 A.M., CNA #1 provided Resident #9 with a meal tray and stood next to him/her while assisting the Resident with the breakfast meal.
On 10/4/23 at 8:09 A.M., the surveyor observed Unit Manager (UM) #1 enter the Unit Two Dining Room. The surveyor asked UM #1 what her observations were of the breakfast meal service. UM #1 said staff should be seated next to the residents while assisting them with their meals.
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Safe Environment
(Tag F0584)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observations, interviews, and policies reviewed, the facility failed to provide a sanitary and homelike environment during dining on one of two resident units.
Specifically, the facility sta...
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Based on observations, interviews, and policies reviewed, the facility failed to provide a sanitary and homelike environment during dining on one of two resident units.
Specifically, the facility staff failed to:
-ensure that residents were served meals at the same time for residents seated at the same table.
-ensure meals were served off of meal trays.
-ensure that staff conducted hand hygiene while providing meals and between assisting residents with meals.
-ensure that staff were seated while assisting residents with meals in the Unit Two Dining Room.
Findings include:
Review of the facility Hand Hygiene Policy, dated 4/15/20, indicated hand hygiene (hand washing) is the single most important means of preventing the spread of infection. Application of nursing facility approved hand hygiene disinfectant is allowed in place of soap and water. The policy also included that hand washing should be done during the following:
-Before and after each resident contact
-Before eating or preparing food
-Before and after feeding a resident
-Before setting up a resident's tray
On 9/29/23 from 8:20 A.M. through 9:00 A.M., the surveyor observed the following during the breakfast meal service in the Unit Two Dining Room:
-Fifteen residents were present in the dining area.
-Eleven residents were seated at four large dining room tables in the dining room and four residents were seated near the walls with overbed tables placed in front of them. The news was on the television which was located on a wall in the dining room.
-The surveyor did not observe any tablecloths on any of the four large dining room tables.
-At 8:20 A.M., the breakfast meal distribution began in the Dining Room. Residents who were seated at the four large tables were were not served their breakfast meals at the same time as their tablemates during the meal pass. All of the breakfast meals were observed to be provided on meal trays which were placed in front of the residents.
-At 8:33 A.M., Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) #1 stood next to a resident while assisting him/her with the breakfast meal. Another resident who was seated at the same table still did not have a breakfast meal placed in front of him/her.
-Seven of the 14 residents that were seated at the four tables did not have a meal provided to them, while others at the same tables were eating or being assisted by staff.
-A tablecloth was placed on one of the four large tables at 8:41 A.M.
-At 8:49 A.M., all residents in the Unit Two Dining Room had been provided their breakfast meals.
-CNA #1 was observed standing and assisting two residents with their meals.
-The surveyor did not observe staff performing hand hygiene in the dining room during the breakfast meal between assisting residents with meal set up and providing meal assistance.
On 10/3/23 from 7:57 A.M. through 8:41 A.M., the surveyor observed the following in the Unit Two Dining Room:
-Sixteen residents were present in the dining room, either seated at a large dining room table or against the wall with overbed tables placed in front of them. The news was on the television.
-At 8:05 A.M., two CNAs began to pass the breakfast meal trays. The surveyor did not observe hand hygiene being performed when the staff were distributing the meal trays to residents. The breakfast meal was served on trays placed in front of the residents.
-The residents who were seated at the large dining room tables were not served the breakfast meals at the same time as their tablemates.
-CNA #3 was observed assisting several residents with the breakfast meal set-up, and did not perform hand hygiene.
-At 8:10 A.M., the surveyor observed CNA #3 using her bare hands to pick up jellied toast from Resident #37's meal tray and assist him/her with eating it. Three other residents were also seated at this table and did not have their breakfast meals provided.
-At 8:13 A.M., CNA #1 was observed standing next to and assisting a resident seated at a large dining room table with his/her breakfast meal.
-Seven of the 16 Residents had their breakfast meals and several of the residents were seated at tables without a meal provided while their tablemates had their meals.
-At 8:17 A.M., a Resident who was seated in a stationary chair by the wall with an overbed table was observed standing up from his/her seat and was redirected by the CNAs to sit back down because his/her meal was coming. The Resident was observed without a breakfast meal.
-At 8:22 A.M., after distributing several meal trays, CNA #3 was observed to again pick up Resident #37's jellied toast and assist him/her with eating. No hand hygiene was observed by CNA #3 prior to assisting the resident and during the meal pass.
-At 8:25 A.M., CNA #1 was observed standing next to two residents while assisting them with their meals.
-At 8:26 A.M., a breakfast tray was placed in front of Resident #42, who was seated at a large dining room table with three other residents who were already served. Resident #42 was not assisted by CNA #3 with his/her meal until 8:38 A.M. (12 minutes later).
-At 8:27 A.M., the last breakfast meal tray was served in the dining room (22 minutes later).
On 10/4/23 from 7:55 A.M. through 8:10 A.M., the surveyor observed the following during the breakfast meal in the Unit Two Dining Room:
-Ten residents were present in the dining room, either seated at a large table or seated against the wall with overbed tables.
-Three covered meal trays were placed at a table where no residents were seated.
-One resident seated at a large table with two tablemates was provided a breakfast meal tray and was eating while the tablemates did not have meals.
-Resident #65, who was seated in a stationary chair with an overbed table positioned in front of him/her, was overheard to state to another resident seated near him/her that there were numerous residents seated in the dining room without their meals provided and the staff were serving breakfast trays for residents not present in the dining room.
-At 7:59 A.M., CNA #1 was observed assisting in transferring a resident from a wheelchair to a stationary chair in the dining room, then assisted another resident with his/her meal without conducting hand hygiene between the two residents.
-While assisting the resident with his/her meal, CNA #1 was observed standing next to him/her.
-At this time, there were eight residents in the dining room without their breakfast meals while only two residents were provided their breakfast.
During an interview at 8:03 A.M., Resident #65 said he/she thought it was stupid that this was how the meals were served. He/she said that residents meals are served when they are not in the dining room and there are several residents present who were sitting and waiting for their meal and it was not offered.
On 10/4/23 at 8:09 A.M., the surveyor observed Unit Manager (UM) #1 enter the Unit Two Dining Room. During an interview at the time, UM #1 was asked what her observations were of the residents dining experience. UM #1 said that resident meals should not be served on meal trays, that the items should be placed on the tables in front of the residents and not served on meal trays. She also said that residents seated at tables with other residents should be served at the same time and that when staff were assisting residents, they should be seated, not standing. When the surveyor asked when hand hygiene should be occurring, UM #1 said that hand hygiene should be conducted anytime before and after assisting residents with their meal trays.
Refer to F880
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Medical Records
(Tag F0842)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to obtain a completed Massachusetts Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) form for one Resident (#239) out of a total sample of...
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Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to obtain a completed Massachusetts Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) form for one Resident (#239) out of a total sample of 19 residents.
Specifically, the facility staff failed to have Resident #239, and/or their Resident Representative date as required, a completed MOLST form.
Findings include:
Review of MOLST instructions, approved by The Department of Public Health (DPH), dated 8/10/13, indicated the following:
-Sections A-C are valid orders only if sections D and E are complete.
-Sections D and E are the signature and the date section of the MOLST form to be signed by the Resident or Resident Representative and the Medical Provider.
Review of Resident #239's MOLST, section D, indicated the form was signed but was not dated by the Resident and/or the Resident Representative.
The MOLST form was signed and dated by the Physician on 9/27/23, and indicated the following:
- Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)
- Do Not Intubate and Ventilate (DNI/DNV)
- Do not use Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV)
- Do not Transfer to Hospital (DNH)
- No Dialysis
- No Artificial Nutrition
- No Artificial Hydration
Review of Resident #239's Baseline Care Plan titled, Advanced Directives, initiated 9/27/23, indicated the following:
-Code Status DNR/DNI/DNH
During an interview on 10/3/23 at 10:32 A.M., Unit Manager (UM) #1 said the MOLST form should have been dated by the Resident and/or the Resident Representative and that it was not.
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Resident #48 was admitted to the facility in January 2020 with diagnoses including Stage 4 Pressure Ulcer of the sacral area (large wound in which the skin is significantly damaged), Vascular Dementia...
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Resident #48 was admitted to the facility in January 2020 with diagnoses including Stage 4 Pressure Ulcer of the sacral area (large wound in which the skin is significantly damaged), Vascular Dementia (brain damage cause by multiple strokes) with behavioral disturbance, and muscle weakness.
Review of October 2023 Physician's orders included the following:
-Cleanse sacral wound with normal saline and pat dry. Apply alginate (a pad placed on wound bed to prevent wound from drying out) followed by foam dressing (a protective pad to provide cushioning and absorb fluid from wound), twice daily and as needed for drainage and or removal, initiated 3/23/23.
-metronidazole tablet (antibiotic sprinkled into wound to control odor), crushed 250 milligrams (mg), amount: 1 tablet, topical. Special Instructions: crush and sprinkle on/in wound bed on coccyx area (the area containing the tail bone) for increased odor twice a day, initiated 3/23/23.
During an observation on 10/4/23 at 1:07 P.M., for a wound dressing change, the surveyor observed Nurse #4 had loose gauze, normal saline, crushed medication in a small medicine cup, a protective foam dressing and alginate pad on the bedside table in preparation for dressing change.
-Nurse #4 went to the bathroom washed hands and put on new gloves.
-Nurse #4 removed the old dressing from Resident #48's wound, and with the same gloves, poured some of the saline on a loose gauze, patted the wound bed, poured the crushed powdered medication on the alginate pad, and -placed it on the wound bed. Then, with the same gloves, Nurse #4 covered the wound with the protective foam dressing.
-Nurse #4 reached into her pocked while wearing the same gloves and took out a pen and dated the wound on the outside of the foam dressing.
-Nurse #4 wiped Resident #48's bedside table with the remainder of the saline and gauze, while wearing the same gloves.
-The Nurse went to the bathroom, removed her gloves, and washed her hands.
During an interview on 10/4/23 at 1:30 P.M., the surveyor asked Nurse #4 which part of the procedure had a breach in infection control. Nurse #4 said she should have removed her gloves after removing the old dressing, then washed her hands, applied new gloves before re-applying the new dressing but she did not.
-Nurse #4 further said she should have removed her gloves, washed her hands, and then applied new gloves before disinfecting Resident #48's bedside able but she did not.
During an interview with the Director of Nurses (DON) on 10/4/23 at 2:30 P.M., the DON said she expected Nurse #4 to change gloves after taking off the old wound dressing, wash her hands, and then put on new gloves before applying a new dressing, but Nurse #4 did not.
The DON further said Nurse #4 should have wiped Resident #48's table with bleach wipes and washed her hands, but she did not.
Based on observations, interviews, and policies reviewed, the facility failed to prevent and reduce the potential spread of infection by maintaining an effective infection surveillance program.
Specifically, the facility failed to ensure that:
1. residents with active respiratory symptoms were identified and interventions put in place to reduce the spread of infection to other residents.
2. staff were conducting hand hygiene as indicated during resident care activities, including meals and a wound treatment for Resident # 48.
Findings include:
Review of the facility Hand Hygiene Policy, dated 4/15/20, indicated hand hygiene (hand washing) is the single most important means of preventing the spread of infection. Application of nursing facility approved hand hygiene disinfectant is allowed in place of soap and water. The policy also included that hand washing should be done during the following:
-Before and after each resident contact
-Before eating or preparing food
-Before and after feeding a resident
-Before setting up a resident's tray
-After use of the bathroom
-Before and after donning and removing gloves
-During a medication pass in between each resident's medications given
Review of the facility Infection Control Policy, dated 7/14/20, indicated it was the policy of the facility to coordinate the surveillance, prevention, and control of the infection process in order to reduce the risks of nosocomial infections (healthcare-associated infections or infections that are acquired during the process of receiving health care that were not present during the time of admission) in residents and health care workers.
The policy also included the following:
-surveillance, prevention and control of the infection focuses not only on direct resident care, but also resident support services such as housekeeping, maintenancce, dietary, volunteer and employee health services.
-the plan will include prioritizing risks and strategies to minimize, reduce or eliminate the prioritized risks
-a qualified Infection Control Nurse will be assigned the responsibility of coordinating the surveillance, prevention and control of infection activities in including collecting, analyzing and reporting data, and approving and recommending actions to prevent and control infections
-the infection control surveillance nurse collaborates with and reports any significant infection control issues to the Director of Nurses (DON), Administrator and the Medical Directors
-any staff member who identifies the resident with signs and symptoms of infection reports the resident to the Infection Control Nurse by filling out the Infection Report Form
-the Infection Control Nurse identifies employees with infections by reports of illnesses/potential infections. Each department director is responsible for reporting employee illnesses or infections to the Infection Control Nurse. The Infection Control Nurse is responsible for follow-up of employee illnesses and also for recommending appropriate actions to department directors.
-documentation of infection control data analysis which includes line listing of infections .
-the Infection Control Nurse conducts investigations whenever appropriate, analyzes data, consults with appropriate resources, develops strategies to prevent and control infection based on the causative agent, characteristics of high-risk residents and souces of contamiation, and reports to the resident's physician/
-based on the identified trisk and trends, the Committee (Infection Control) will establish priorties and goals including, but not limited to: limiting unprotected exposure to pathogens, enhancing hand hygiene and minimizing the risk of transmitting infections associated with the use of procedures, medical equipment and medical devices
1. During an observation of Unit Two on 10/3/23 from 7:50 through 9:54 A.M., the surveyor observed numerous residents in the alcove area across from the nursing station with frequent cough and respiratory symptoms, including Resident #17, Resident #63 and Resident #65. During an interview at the time, Resident#17 stated he/she was not feeling well. The surveyor observed that Resident #17 was not wearing a mask, did not have tissues, was not covering his/her mouth when actively coughing and also observed that numerous other residents were present. During an interview with Unit Manager (UM) #1, immediately after the observation, she said that there appears to be a virus with respiratory symptoms going around the Unit. She said they have been testing symptomatic residents for COVID/flu as per Physician's order and have not had any positives.
On 10/3/23 at 10:33 A.M., the surveyor observed the activities which were occurring in the Unit Two Dining Room where 11 residents were present. Activities Assistant #1 was observed assisting multiple residents with individualized activities. She was wearing a mask and was actively coughing throughout the observation. At 10:41 A.M., Activities Assistant #1 was observed seated next to Resident #37, was actively coughing and during the coughing fit, the surveyor observed Resident #37 ask Activities Assistant #1 if she was okay. Activities Assistant #1 said that she would be better in a week or two. At 10:47 A.M., the Hairdresser was observed to enter the Unit Two Dining Room. During a conversation between the Hairdresser and Activities Assistant #1, the surveyor heard Activities Assistant #1 tell the Hairdresser that she called out last Thursday and has had a virus for a week. Activities Assistant #1 further said that residents are being tested for COVID-19 and have been negative but that numerous residents have been on nebulizer treatments due to the respiratory virus going around. At the time, the Hairdresser was heard to say that she should probably put on a mask.
On 10/5/23 at 6:40 A.M., the surveyor observed Resident #16 seated in a wheel chair in the hallway outside of the Unit Dining Room with other residents, with respiratory symptoms, holding tissues and actively blowing his/her nose.
During an interview on 10/5/23 at 10:35 A.M., the surveyor discussed with the Infection Control Nurse the respiratory symptoms that have been observed on Unit Two during the survey and the facility's infection surveillance program. The Infection Control Nurse said that she had only been in the position for a few months, and was not aware of the process for tracking infections in the facility but that she did track monthly antibiotic use. When asked specifically about the facility process for monitoring of infections that do not require antibiotics, she said she would have to check. The surveyor relayed observations of residents/staff on Unit Two with cold/respiratory symptoms, and the Infection Control Nurse said that she keeps track of this information in a separate location, which the surveyor requested to review. The Infection Control Nurse returned several minutes later and provided the surveyor with a list of three residents on Unit Two who had cold/respiratory symptoms. She further said that the facility did not track on a surveillance form unless it was more then three residents or staff that have symptoms, and that she has not tracked any infections except for COVID-19 because it did not meet the criteria. The Infection Control Nurse said that if there was an increase in residents/staff with symptoms, she was supposed to be notified. She said that she is up on the Unit daily and had not had any concerns about infection control relative to hand hygiene. The list of residents with current respiratory symptoms included the following:
- Resident #17 who started on 9/29/23
- Resident #37 who started on 9/29/23
- Resident #67 who started on 10/2/23
When the surveyor asked the Infection Control Nurse what was done to assist from a facility standpoint to prevent or limit transmission of respiratory symptoms, she said the facility staff should offer masks, encourage the symptomatic resident to stay in their rooms but that some of the resident's upstairs refuse to wear masks and will not stay in their rooms. The Infection Control Nurse said she was not aware of any other plans from the facility to reduce potential transmission.
During an interview on 10/5/23 at 11:53 A.M., the Director of Nurses (DON) said that respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses/symptoms would be tracked on an infection surveillance tool if greater then three residents/staff were identified. She said the facility would follow up with the Provider and if it was considered an outbreak, it would be reported to the appropriate entities. The DON said that the respiratory symptoms started last week and those with symptoms were discussed in morning meetings. She said that if there were multiple residents with respiratory symptoms, they would obtain orders for additional testing/clinical follow up. The DON said that if more than three residents were identified with respiratory symptoms, a surveillance log would be initiated but felt that if it was three or less residents, then the infection is managed. The surveyor provided the DON with a list of additional residents (Resident #9, Resident #54 and Resident #63) who were observed with respiratory symptoms and were not identified from the Infection Control Nurse. When the surveyor asked what the facility did to reduce transmission of communicable infections, the DON said that frequent hand hygiene should be occurring on the affected unit and that if staff were symptomatic, they should wear masks and test for infection. She said if residents were symptomatic, they should be encouraged to wear masks, conduct hand hygiene and be redirected to their rooms if receptive.
On 10/6/23 at 8:25 A.M., the surveyor was seated at the Unit Two nurses station and observed and heard numerous residents with respiratory symptoms (coughing, sneezing) from the common area across from the nurses station, in the hallway (North) and in the Unit Dining Room. At 8:32 A.M., the surveyor discussed the observations with UM #1 who said she had heard people coughing and will try to figure out who it is. She further said that some residents smoke and some have coughing episodes during meals. The surveyor relayed observations since the survey start on 9/29/23, and then the updated change on the Unit with increased numbers of residents with coughing, sneezing and cold symptoms observed on 10/3/23. UM #1 said she was aware that the DON was working on this and that the facility needed to improve their process.
On 10/6/23 at 8:44 A.M., the surveyor observed Resident #16 seated in the Unit Two Dining Room with other residents during breakfast. The Resident was actively coughing and was holding a box of tissues. Resident #82, who was also seated in the Dining Room was observed to be frequently coughing. During an interview with Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) #1, who was in the Dining Room, she said that there were numerous residents with respiratory symptoms including Resident #9, Resident #83, Resident #16 and Resident #37. She further said that if she notices a resident with a medical change, like cold and respiratory symptoms, she would notify the Nurse and make sure the resident has extra fluids.
During an interview on 10/6/23 at 9:07 A.M., CNA #2 said that Resident #17 has had respiratory symptoms. She said if a resident presented with respiratory symptoms, she would notify the Nurse. When the surveyor asked if there was anything that was done to reduce potential of transmission of viruses/infections, CNA #2 said that she would offer the symptomatic resident a mask, try to keep them away from other residents, offer them tissues if they are openly coughing and would provide hand wipes to clean their hands.
On 10/6/23 from 8:44 A.M. through 9:41 A.M., Resident #54, who was seated in an stationary chair in the hallway, was observed with an intermittent wet sounding cough. During an interview at the time, UM #1 said that the coughing observed was typical for this Resident.
During an observation and interview on 10/6/23 at 9:29 A.M., CNA #2 provided a mask for Resident #82 who was still present in the Unit Dining Room with other residents and continued to have coughing episodes. CNA #2 said that this was not typical for Resident #82.
On 10/6/23 at 9:39 A.M., Resident #30 approached the surveyor, who was seated a the Unit Two nurses station, and asked for a box of tissues, stating that he/she had a cold. The surveyor observed that the Resident sounded congested. At 9:40 A.M., the surveyor relayed Resident #30's request and the observation to UM #1.
During an interview on 10/6/23 at 12:29 P.M., the DON said Unit Two provided a list of residents who had respiratory symptoms, that an infection surveillance listing was initiated, and that the facility was following up.
Review of the infection surveillance tool, provided by the DON indicated eight residents were identified as having respiratory symptoms on Unit Two.
2. On 9/29/23 from 8:20 A.M. through 9:00 A.M., the surveyor observed the breakfast meal pass on the Unit Two Dining Room where 14 residents were present. During that time, the surveyor observed resident meal trays and feeding assistance occur for several residents who were seated in the dining room. The surveyor did not observe hand hygiene being conducted by the CNAs prior to delivering and setting up resident meal trays and between assisting residents with their meals.
On 10/3/23 from 7:57 A.M. through 8:41 A.M., the surveyor observed the breakfast meal pass on the Unit Two Dining Room where 16 residents were present. During that time, the surveyor observed two CNAs distribute and set up resident meal trays. No hand hygiene was observed between tray pass and assisting individual residents with feeding assistance, as required. The surveyor observed CNA #3 assist several residents with breakfast meal set up, but did not conduct hand hygiene and then at 8:10 A.M. and again at 8:22 A.M., CNA #3 was observed to use her bare hands to pick up jellied toast from Resident #37's meal tray and assist him/her with eating it. At 8:24 A.M., CNA #1 was observed to assist Resident #37 who was actively coughing during the breakfast meal. The surveyor heard CNA #1 tell Resident #37 to drink his/her orange juice to help with the cough.
On 10/4/23 from 7:55 A.M. through 8:10 A.M., the surveyor observed the breakfast meal pass on the Unit Two Dining Room where 10 residents were present. During that time, the surveyor observed CNA #1 distribute resident meal trays and assist with set up. No hand hygiene was observed during the resident meal tray pass. At 7:59 A.M., CNA #1 was observed to assist another CNA with transferring a resident from a wheelchair to a stationary chair in the Dining Room, then CNA #1 was observed to assist another Resident with his/her meal without conducting hand hygiene.
On 10/4/23 at 8:09 A.M., Unit Manager (UM) #1 entered the Unit Two Dining Room. During an interview at the time, the surveyor asked UM #1 when hand hygiene should be occurring and UM #1 said that hand hygiene should be conducted anytime before and after assisting residents with their meal trays.
At 10/4/23 at 8:17 A.M., the surveyor observed the meal cart being brought to the North Wing on Unit Two, and observed breakfast tray pass by two CNAs.
-At 8:31 A.M., the surveyor observed CNA #10 taking two used cups from an overbed table in the hallway and placing them in the meal cart where resident breakfast trays were located and had not yet been passed. The surveyor then observed that CNA #10 continued to distribute the resident trays. No hand hygiene was observed during the retrieval of the used (dirty) cups and the distribution of the breakfast trays in the meal cart.
-At 8:37 A.M., the surveyor observed the meal cart and saw a Resident breakfast tray located at the bottom of the meal cart which had not been passed. There were several items on the breafast tray including a bowl of hot cereal, unopened milkshake and magic cup ice cream, and a covered cup with beverage, along with the Resident's meal ticket. The surveyor observed that also located on the same breakfast tray were several dirty cups.
During an observation and interview on 10/4/23 at 8:52 A.M., CNA #10 said that the Resident was a late sleeper and was offered breakfast when he/she wakes up. CNA #10 said that the Resident's breakfast tray should be saved in the unit kitchenette when he/she was awake. The surveyor and CNA #10 observed the meal cart which had the Resident's untouched breakfast tray and also had several dirty cups on the tray. CNA #10 said that the dirty items should not have been placed there and she was observed removing the covered hot cereal, milk and orange juice from the tray and said that she would put it in the kitchenette to be reheated for the Resident when he/she was awake.
During an interview on 10/4/23 at 10:50 A.M., with the DON, the surveyor discussed the observations pertaining to lack of hand hygiene and meal distribution on Unit Two. The DON said that dirty and used resident items should not be put on a clean cart or clean tray when the food items are going to be offered to the Resident, and that she understood about the concern for hand hygiene.