Failure to Respond to Elevated INR in Resident on Coumadin
Summary
The facility failed to appropriately respond to an elevated International Normalized Ratio (INR) for a resident receiving Warfarin (Coumadin) for atrial fibrillation. On a specific date, the resident's INR was reported as abnormally high at 4.9, indicating that the resident's blood was too thin. Despite this, the nursing staff did not notify the physician or stop the administration of Coumadin, continuing to administer the medication on subsequent days. This oversight led to the resident experiencing nose and gum bleeding, prompting the resident to call 911 for emergency transport to the hospital. Upon arrival at the hospital, the resident's INR was found to be critically high at 7.2, necessitating treatment with Vitamin K to counteract the effects of the anticoagulant. The resident was hospitalized for ongoing care and treatment. The facility's failure to monitor and act on the elevated INR results placed the resident at significant risk for bleeding and continued blood loss. The deficiency was identified through a review of the resident's medical records, hospital records, and other documentation. It was found that the nursing staff, including specific LPNs, did not check the resident's PT/INR levels before administering Coumadin and failed to notify the medical provider of the abnormal INR levels in a timely manner. This lack of action and communication contributed to the resident's adverse health event.
Removal Plan
- Resident #11 was discharged to the hospital.
- The Director of Nursing (DON), Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) #918 and Registered Nurse (RN) Unit Manager (UM) #922 reviewed Resident #11's medical record, medication administration record (MAR), progress notes and laboratory results (labs) to identify the root cause related to the bleeding incident.
- The facility identified the root cause as nursing staff including Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) #883 and LPN #963 failed to check Resident #11's PT/INR level prior to administering Coumadin 7.5 mg to Resident #11 and failed to notify medical doctor (MD)/Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP) #980 of Resident #11's abnormal INR level in a timely manner.
- The DON, ADON #918, RN UM #922 and Regional RN (RRN) #979 completed an in house audit and confirmed four residents resided in the facility who receive Coumadin including Residents #38, #44 #76 and #82.
- Resident records for Residents #38, #44, #76 and #82 were reviewed which included the lab reports, medication administration records (MARs), progress notes and care plans to ensure that abnormal labs were reported to Nurse Practitioner (NP) #980 in a timely manner and that Coumadin was not administered to residents with a PT/INR greater than 3.0, without negative findings.
- The DON, RN ADON #918, RN UM #922 and Regional RN #979 completed assessments/skin checks on Residents #38, #44, #76 and #82 (receiving Coumadin) to ensure the residents did not have signs of bleeding or bruising.
- RRN #979 completed competencies, in person with return demonstration, with the DON, ADON #918 and RN UM #922 to review PT/INR blood work prior to administering Coumadin and education was provided on reporting of abnormal labs to CNP #980 of the specific resident by the end of the shift.
- LPN #883 and LPN #963 (two nurses who were out of compliance related to the Immediate Jeopardy) were educated (in person) by the DON, with return demonstration, on checking residents PT/INR blood work prior to administering Coumadin and on reporting of abnormal labs to CNP #980 of the specific Resident by end of shift.
- RRN #979 completed an audit of the lab work for Residents #38, #44, #76 and #82. NP #980 was notified of all lab results.
- The audit revealed Resident #76's PT/INR lab work had an INR of 3.6 and the NP was notified and ordered to hold the Coumadin dose and repeat the INR.
- The DON, ADON #918 and RN UM #922 completed competencies with LPN #883 and LPN #963, in person with return demonstration, on checking residents PT/INR prior to giving Coumadin and to ensure that the lab results are reported to CNP #980 of the specific Resident by end of shift.
- The facility held an emergency Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) meeting.
- The QAPI meeting was held to review the root cause, reviewed the facility abatement plan due to the nurses administering Coumadin prior to checking Resident #11's PT/INR labs and not notifying NP #980 responsible for Resident #11's care, by the end of the shift.
- The DON developed and implemented a PT/INR Coumadin flow sheet.
- ADON #918 and RN UM #922 were educated on the form, how to implement the form, when to use the form and what to do for abnormalities identified on the form.
- Both nurses would print Coumadin lab reports five days a week at Clinical Morning Meetings to review any changes in orders due to any abnormal lab results & to ensure the CNP of the specific resident was notified of the results by the end of the reporting shift.
- The Coumadin flow sheet was implemented by ADON #918 and RN UM #922.
- The form would be completed each time a blood draw was ordered with results received for each resident on Coumadin.
- The abnormal results would be reported to CNP #980 of the specific resident by end of the reporting shift.
- The DON, ADON #918 and RN UM #922 completed education in person and via phone to all 17 staff LPNs and all six staff RNs on checking residents' PT/INR results prior to giving Coumadin and to ensure that the lab results were reported to NP #980 of the specific resident by the end of the reporting shift.
- All 37 staff State tested Nursing Assistants (STNA) were educated on observing for abnormal effects of Coumadin including bleeding, bruising and black tarry stools and reporting abnormalities to the nurse.
- The facility also used agency staffing including four agency RN's, eight agency LPN's and five agency STNA's who work as needed in the facility.
- RRN #979 confirmed the agency staff members were educated over the phone and would not work in the facility unless they had received the education prior to their next scheduled shift.
- The facility indicated all new hires would receive the education during orientation.
- The DON, ADON #918 and RN UM #922 completed competencies to ensure 17 LPNs and six RNs were checking residents PT/INR prior to giving Coumadin and to ensure that the lab results are reported to NP #980 in a timely manner.
- To ensure ongoing compliance, the DON/ADON/UM/Designee would audit PT/INR lab results and timely notification of the residents' NP four times a week for three weeks.
- The audits would be completed beginning and the facility would then continue a monthly audit for the next two months, during clinical morning meetings, for verification the PT/INR results were reviewed and reported to the residents' NP as needed.
- The results of the audits would be forwarded to the facility QAPI committee for additional review and recommendations.
Penalty
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