Failure to Assess Resident After Fall and Delay in STAT X-ray Order
Summary
The facility failed to assess a resident by a nurse after a fall and prior to getting her off the floor. On the day of the incident, a nurse aide transferred the resident from her bed to a sit-to-stand lift and then to the shower room. During a transfer in the shower room, the resident's foot slipped, and the nurse aide had to lower the resident to the floor. The nurse aide called for assistance from another nurse aide, but neither of them notified a nurse about the fall. Consequently, an assessment for injury was not completed by a nurse before the resident was moved back to her wheelchair. The following day, the nurse practitioner placed a STAT order for a left hip x-ray due to the resident's decreased range of motion and pain. However, there was a delay in executing the STAT x-ray order, and the facility did not inform the nurse practitioner about the delay. The x-ray results, which revealed a fracture of the resident's left hip, were not available until the next day. The delay in obtaining the x-ray results led to a delay in sending the resident to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment. Interviews with the involved staff revealed that they did not consider the incident as a fall and therefore did not follow the proper protocol of notifying a nurse and having the resident assessed before moving her. The nurse aides involved admitted to not reporting the incident to the nurse or the nurse practitioner, which contributed to the delay in care. The facility's failure to ensure timely assessment and execution of the STAT x-ray order resulted in delayed care for the resident, who suffered a hip fracture.
Removal Plan
- The facility failed to have resident assessed by a nurse after the fall and prior to getting her off the floor. The facility failed to report the fall and improper transfer when CNA #2 reported the resident having issues with her foot dragging. Nurse Practitioner was notified by C.N.A. #2 that resident could not move her left foot. Nurse Practitioner performed an assessment on resident, no bruising or swelling was noted. Nurse Practitioner ordered stat x-ray and changed Tylenol order to three times daily for pain. Radiology contacted facility and notified the floor nurse that they would not be able to obtain the stat x-ray. Floor nurse did not notify NP of delay in stat x-ray. Director of Nursing and/or designee re-educated floor nurse on proper notification to MD for any delay in stat orders. X-ray results revealed acute fracture of left hip. Facility notified Nurse Practitioner and received orders to send resident to the hospital for evaluation and treatment. Immediate investigation for Injury of Unknown Origin was initiated. Director of Nursing conducted an interview with C.N.A. #2 which revealed the incident and a conclusion on how the fracture occurred. C.N.A. #2 confirmed that resident was on the floor in the shower room and C.N.A #2 assisted C.N.A #1 in returning resident to chair. C.N.A #1 cannot return to the facility, CNA #2 has been terminated from the facility.
- Director of Nursing and/or designee completed interviews with communicative residents regarding care and services provided to identify any unreported incidents or other injury of unknown origin. No other issues were identified by residents. Head to toe skin assessments were completed on all residents by Unit Managers. This was done to ensure there were no signs or symptoms of injuries related to incidents not being reported. No negative findings were noted from residents. The Director of Nursing checked for any other stat x-ray orders and there were none.
- The Director of Nursing and/or their designee completed education of 100% C.N.A.'s and licensed nurses which included, safe transfers, reporting of incidents and accidents, and reporting protocols and change in condition. This includes having a licensed nurse assess a resident after all falls and/or incidents. Agency staff will be educated prior to first shift working on proper lifts, facility policies, and reporting all incidents and change in condition. New hires to the facility are educated with the onboarding procedures. The Director of Nursing and/or their designee educated all C.N.A.s and licensed staff on reporting of incidents and accidents and the definition of a fall. Agency staff were educated prior to taking an assignment. The Director of Nursing and/or their designee completed 100% education of all licensed nurses on stat orders. This education included notification to MD/NP if stat order has been delayed. Agency nurses are educated on STAT orders prior to first shift working.
- The facility made the decision to have an ad hoc QAPI committee meeting as a result of our investigation into the incident. It was the decision of the QAPI committee to begin monitoring of this deficient practice. Director of Nursing and/or their designee will obtain copies of new and stat x-ray orders daily from NP. Director of Nursing and/or their designee will audit results daily to ensure orders for x-rays are completed as ordered. NP was notified of this process. Director of Nursing and/or their designee will randomly audit five (5) staff members weekly to monitor knowledge of reporting of incidents, falls and what is considered a fall. Results of the audits will be presented monthly to the QAPI committee meeting by the Director of Nursing and/or their designee for review/revision as needed.
Penalty
Resources
Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:
Trusted data from CMS and state health departments
Every citation, penalty and Plan of Correction is sourced from public CMS records (latest release May 27, 2026) and official state health department websites — never guesswork.
Trusted by long-term care providers and associations.



