Failure to Notify EMS During CPR
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that staff followed appropriate procedures when providing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for a resident who was reviewed for code status. The deficiency was identified when a resident, who had a physician's order to attempt resuscitation, was found unresponsive and without vital signs. The staff initiated CPR but failed to contact Emergency Medical Services (EMS) as required by the facility's Clinical Emergency Response Policy. The incident involved a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) who, upon finding the resident unresponsive, paged a code and returned with additional nursing staff to initiate CPR. Despite the ongoing resuscitation efforts, there was no documentation that EMS was contacted, which is a critical component of the emergency response protocol. The Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed that there was no documentation of EMS being called, and the Administrator was unsure of the facility's CPR policy and whether an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) was available. The failure to notify EMS during the CPR process was a significant oversight in the facility's emergency response procedures. This noncompliance with the established protocol had the potential to cause serious harm to the resident, as timely EMS intervention is crucial in such situations. The deficiency highlighted a lack of effective oversight and monitoring of facility procedures related to residents requiring CPR.
Removal Plan
- The administration failed to notify emergency management while providing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. The licensed nurse failed to notify 911 during CPR. It was identified the facility failed to implement all components of the Clinical Emergency Response Policy that included notifying 911 during CPR.
- The Administrator and DON were re-educated by the Regional President of Operation on Clinical Emergency Response Policy.
- The Regional Nurse Consultant re-educated the Administrator and DON on the job description.
- The Administrator will have daily calls with the Regional President of Operations regarding process of the plan, identified concerns and non-compliance identified items. The Administrator and/or DON will update daily the Advance Directive Audit tool and the Event Monitoring tool (to include residents who receive CPR) including weekends and holidays.
- The Regional Nurse Consultant and Regional President of Operations will visit the facility daily to ensure compliance and identify any areas of concern with not notifying emergency management (911) during CPR. A review of the findings will be placed in a weekly trip report by the Regional Nurse Consultant and Regional President of Operations.
Penalty
Resources
Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:
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