F0684 F684: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
J

Failure to Follow Protocol After Resident Fall in Transportation Van

The Citadel At Myers Park, LlcCharlotte, North Carolina Survey Completed on 07-26-2024

Summary

The facility failed to provide appropriate treatment and care for Resident #12 following a fall from her wheelchair in a transportation van. Resident #12, who had a history of non-Alzheimer's dementia, mild neurocognitive disorder, end-stage renal disease, and bilateral lower extremity amputation, was left unsupervised in a parked van with the engine and air conditioning on. During this time, she unbuckled her seatbelt and fell face down on the floor of the van. Driver #1, who was responsible for the transportation, witnessed the fall and observed a knot forming on Resident #12's forehead. Despite the visible injury, Driver #1 moved Resident #12 back into her wheelchair before calling 911, contrary to the facility's policy of leaving residents in place for clinical assessment after a fall. The incident report and interviews revealed that Driver #1, a certified nursing assistant, was the only staff member on the van at the time of the incident. After securing Resident #12 in her wheelchair, Driver #1 left the van to assist another resident, during which time Resident #12 fell. Upon returning to the van, Driver #1 moved Resident #12 from the floor to her wheelchair, citing the hot floor as a reason for the move. This action was taken before emergency medical services arrived, which was against the facility's protocol that required residents to remain in place until assessed by a licensed professional. Interviews with the facility's staff, including the Director of Nursing and the Administrator, confirmed that the standard procedure was not followed. The Administrator instructed Driver #1 to make Resident #12 comfortable and call 911, but was not aware that Resident #12 had been moved before the paramedics' arrival. The Director of Nursing and the Medical Director acknowledged the deviation from protocol but understood the rationale given the circumstances. However, the failure to adhere to the established procedure resulted in a deficiency in the quality of care provided to Resident #12.

Removal Plan

  • The Administrator re-educated Driver #1 on facility van transportation policies and completed a Transportation Skills Assessment of the Transportation Aide/ CNA with no concerns noted.
  • An Ad Hoc meeting was held with the following in attendance: the Administrator, the Director of Nursing, the Nurse Managers, the Rehab director, the MDS nurse, the Activity Director, and the Wound Care Nurse. The Medical Director was updated by the Administrator of the meeting's agenda and findings. Other resident incidents were reviewed during this meeting. There were no incidents identified in which a resident was moved before being assessed by licensed professionals.
  • The President of Clinical Services provided education to Director of Nursing (DON) and Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) regarding facility policy of the following: In the event of a transportation related incident, resident is not to be moved until a licensed professional can assess for injuries. No changes to policy were necessary.
  • DON provided in person one on one education to facility Driver #1 regarding facility policy of the following: In the event of a transportation related incident, resident is not to be moved until a licensed professional can assess for injuries in person. Driver #1 is an employee of the facility; no other drivers are employed. Driver #1 is directly supervised by the facility Administrator, who received in person education regarding facility policy by the President of Clinical Services.
  • Individual interviews were conducted with all residents with a BIMS 13 or above who were transported by the facility transporter by the DON and Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) to ensure no unreported incidents occurred during facility transportation requiring assessment by a licensed professional.
  • Education was started with all staff, including agency staff by the ADON/Nurse Managers on the following: If the transport driver notifies the facility regarding a transportation related incident, inform them to contact emergency services and not move resident until a licensed professional can assess them. The facility Administrator and Director of Nursing's contact information is posted at all three nurse's stations. No staff will be allowed to work, including any new hires and agency staff, without receiving this education. This information will also be added to the new hire orientation. The Administrator will notify the Assistant Director of Nursing and/or Nurse Manager of this responsibility.
  • Any newly hired facility van drivers will be educated during orientation by the DON/Administrator regarding facility policy: In the event of a transportation related incident, resident is not to be moved until a licensed professional can assess for injuries.
  • An in person Ad hoc Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) meeting was held. The Administrator, the Director of Nursing, the Nurse Manages, the Rehab director, the MDS nurse, and the Wound Care Nurse attended this meeting to review the incident and credible allegation for the removal of the immediate jeopardy.
  • The Administrator will be responsible for ensuring implementation of this immediate jeopardy removal for this alleged non-compliance.

Penalty

Fine: $16,801
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The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.

Resources

Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:

See other F0684 citations
Failure to Follow Physician Orders for Insulin, Weight Monitoring, and Lab Tests
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F0684 F684: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Short Summary

Surveyors found that staff did not follow multiple physician orders for three residents. A resident with diabetes received ordered insulin even when blood glucose readings were below the ordered hold parameter. Another resident with cerebral palsy, DM, and heart failure had repeated significant overnight weight gains without evidence that the physician was notified as ordered. A third resident with anemia and CKD had ordered CBC and CMP lab tests that were not documented as completed. The DON confirmed there was no documentation that these physician orders were carried out.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Implement Ordered Bowel Protocol for Constipation Management
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F0684 F684: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
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A resident with multiple medical conditions, including respiratory disorders and diabetes, had physician orders for scheduled laxatives and a three-step PRN bowel protocol to be used when no bowel movement occurred within specified timeframes. Over a four-day period without a documented BM, the MAR showed that none of the ordered bowel protocol steps were administered, and there was no documentation of bowel care on one of those days. Facility records also lacked any notes of medication refusal or staff education regarding bowel care, and leadership confirmed the absence of documentation and implementation of the ordered bowel protocol.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Reevaluate Blood Glucose After Treatment for Hyperglycemia
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F0684 F684: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Short Summary

A resident with Alzheimer's disease and type II DM, who required extensive assistance with ADLs and was receiving scheduled Lantus and sliding-scale Humalog, experienced a severely elevated blood glucose level. The on-call provider was notified and ordered an additional dose of lispro insulin with a directive to recheck the blood glucose after administration. Nursing staff administered the extra insulin but did not document any follow-up blood glucose check, and the DON confirmed that this reevaluation was required by the facility's abnormal blood glucose policy and was not completed or documented.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Assess and Notify Providers for Abnormal Blood Glucose Levels
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F0684 F684: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
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The facility failed to follow professional standards and physician orders for multiple diabetic residents by not consistently assessing and responding to abnormal capillary blood glucose (CBG) results. Several residents with diabetes and comorbid conditions such as CKD, CHF, CAD, COPD, dementia, ESRD, and heart failure had repeated CBG readings in both hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic ranges, including values below 70 mg/dl and above 400 mg/dl, without documented provider notification, rechecks, or clinical assessment. Some insulin and CBG monitoring orders lacked clear parameters for provider notification, and in at least one case a resident left on a leave of absence after a markedly elevated CBG without reevaluation. Although LPNs described appropriate protocols for managing low and high blood sugars during interviews, the documentation in the medical records did not show that these steps were consistently implemented or recorded, leading to an immediate jeopardy finding related to quality of care.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Assess and Respond to Post‑Fall Hip Pain and Mobility Decline
G
F0684 F684: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Short Summary

A resident with dementia, osteoporosis, and prior femur fracture experienced an unwitnessed fall and subsequently developed severe hip pain and decreased ability to ambulate and transfer. Nursing staff failed to document the fall on the day it occurred, did not complete comprehensive lower‑extremity or mobility assessments, and repeatedly charted pain scores of 0 despite the resident’s complaints and nurse aide reports of significant pain with movement and increased assistance needs. An NP evaluated the resident for hip pain but was not informed of the fall, did not assess the hips or legs, and treated the pain as baseline neuropathic discomfort. Over several days, PRN acetaminophen was given intermittently without consistent pain scoring, multiple shifts lacked progress notes or assessments, and aides assumed nurses were aware of the resident’s worsening pain and functional decline. Bilateral hip x‑rays were eventually ordered after internal communication about hip pain, and the report later showed an acute displaced femoral neck fracture, after which the resident was sent to the hospital and underwent a left hip hemiarthroplasty.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Assess, Notify, and Monitor Resident After Facial Trauma
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F0684 F684: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
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A resident with Parkinson’s disease, osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis reported being punched in the face by another resident, resulting in facial bruising. The resident’s MDS showed intact cognition, and a change in condition evaluation documented the assault; however, the MD was not notified until more than a day later. The care plan directed licensed nurses to assess the resident’s body, and staff observed a purplish bruise on the right lower eyelid/orbital area, but this was not documented in the progress notes. Required every-shift monitoring for 72 hours after the change in condition was not documented on multiple day shifts. The DON confirmed lack of awareness of the bruise and acknowledged missing documentation and monitoring, despite facility policies requiring immediate provider notification and complete, accurate charting of changes in condition.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.

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