Failure to Provide Timely CPR Due to Misidentification of Code Status
Summary
The Nursing Home Administrator and the Director of Nursing failed to effectively manage the facility by not ensuring that Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) was provided in accordance with established facility policy for a resident, resulting in an Immediate Jeopardy situation. The resident, who had a physician's order for Full Code, was found unresponsive by a licensed nurse. The nurse mistakenly identified the resident as Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) due to looking up the wrong resident in the computer system. This error led to a delay in initiating CPR, as the nurse informed the Nursing Supervisor, who then informed the Acting Director of Nursing (DON) that the resident was a DNR. It was only after the Physician Assistant (PA) confirmed that the resident was a Full Code that CPR was initiated and 911 was called. The paramedics were able to obtain a pulse and transported the resident to the hospital, but the delay in starting CPR was significant, lasting approximately 14 minutes from the time the resident was found unresponsive to when CPR was initiated. Interviews with the involved staff confirmed the sequence of events and the miscommunication regarding the resident's code status. The licensed nurse admitted to looking up the wrong resident in the computer system and leaving the room to get the supervisor, which contributed to the delay. The nurse aide and the Nursing Supervisor also confirmed the timeline and actions taken, including the removal of the resident's Foley catheter and preparing the resident for family viewing under the mistaken belief that the resident was a DNR. The Acting DON and the PA confirmed that they realized the resident was a Full Code only after checking the records, leading to the initiation of CPR and calling 911. The facility's camera footage corroborated the timeline provided by the staff, showing the delay between the nurse and the supervisor entering the resident's room and the initiation of CPR. The Nursing Home Administrator, DON, and Acting DON acknowledged the delay and the misidentification of the resident's code status, which contributed to the Immediate Jeopardy situation. The deficiency was identified as a failure to fulfill essential duties and responsibilities, as outlined in the job descriptions for the Nursing Home Administrator and the Director of Nursing, leading to a critical lapse in resident care.
Penalty
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