Failure to Manage Hypoglycemic Episodes
Summary
The facility failed to manage and assess a resident's hypoglycemic episodes on two consecutive mornings. On the first morning, the resident's blood glucose levels were critically low, ranging from 37 mg/dL to 44 mg/dL, and the on-call provider was not notified. The standing orders were not followed, and there was no documentation of continued monitoring after 7:15 AM. Long-acting insulin was administered without a documented blood glucose level, and the resident's refusal of snacks and meals was not adequately addressed. On the second morning, the resident's blood glucose level was so low that the meter read 'LO', indicating less than 20 mg/dL. The nurse contacted the on-call provider and was verbally ordered to administer glucagon, but no written order was documented. There was a significant delay in further blood glucose assessment, and the resident's blood glucose levels later spiked to 343 mg/dL and 400 mg/dL in the afternoon. The nurse practitioner was contacted and gave a verbal order to hold the long-acting insulin, but the short-acting insulin was also withheld incorrectly. The resident involved had a history of type 1 diabetes, dementia, and other conditions, and was dependent on staff for all activities of daily living. The facility's failure to follow standing orders and notify the provider in a timely manner during these hypoglycemic episodes posed a risk of serious harm to the resident. The lack of documentation and communication among staff contributed to the deficiency, affecting the resident's diabetes management and overall care.
Removal Plan
- Identify those recipients who have suffered, or are likely to suffer, a serious adverse outcome as a result of the noncompliance.
- Director of Nursing notified the Medical Director/Provider of resident #69's incidents with no new orders received.
- The Facility Director of Nursing and/or her designee completed an audit of all in house residents identified as using insulin for control of diabetes management and identified residents with blood sugars and using the sliding scale for insulins, which could require utilization with the Standing Orders.
- If implementation of Standing Order for Blood Glucose checks and Hypoglycemia occurred or should have occurred for these residents, any failure to implement or follow these standing orders will be reported to the Medical Provider for review.
- The Facility Director of Nursing and/or her designee have initiated the education for all Licensed Nurses currently on duty.
- Nurses not scheduled for this day shift will be contacted by phone by Director of Nursing/Designee and provided verbal education and will be required to sign the education sign in sheet, confirming receipt, prior to working next scheduled shift.
- Staff Development Coordinator educated by Director of Nursing that all future Newly hired Licensed Nurses (including Agency nurses) will be educated during the hiring orientation process.
- Education provided Licensed Nurses includes: Blood Glucose checks: May perform a fingerstick blood glucose level PRN sign/symptoms of hyper/hypoglycemia.
- Hypoglycemia: For Blood sugars less than 70mg/dl: a. Repeat the test b. If the second reading remains below 70, notify the MD for orders. If the reading is below 70mg/dl and the resident is Responsive; may give 15gm of Glucose or 4oz orange juice with one sugar packet by mouth or g-tube. Recheck in 15 minutes and notify the MD. If the resident is Unresponsive, call 911 and administer Glucagon1gm IM. Notify the MD.
- Expectations given along with the use of the Standing Orders: a. You will follow the Standing Order being utilized b. You will enter the orders as a telephone/verbal order c. You will execute those orders d. You will notify the Medical Provider on Call of initiating the standing orders being initiated, obtain any additional orders and transcribe into the clinical orders. e. All and any interventions implemented are to be documented into the clinical record, whether nursing judgements, orders given or monitoring as related.
- Diabetes and Clinical Protocol which includes the following: a. Assessment and Recognition b. Treatment and Management c. Monitoring and Follow-up
- Nursing Care of the Resident with Diabetes Mellitus which includes: A. Conditions associated with Diabetes: Hyperglycemia, Diabetic Ketoacidosis, Hypoglycemia B. Glucose Monitoring C. Management of Hypoglycemia
- The Facility Director of Nursing and/or her designee have initiated the education for all Certified Nursing Assistants currently on duty, and Certified Nursing Assistants not scheduled for today on these shifts will be contacted by phone by Director of Nursing/Designee and provided verbal education and will be required to sign the education sign in sheet, confirming receipt, prior to working next scheduled shift.
- Staff Development Coordinator educated by Director of Nursing that all future Newly hired Certified Nursing Assistants (including Agency CNAs) will be educated during the hiring orientation process.
- Education provided to CNAs includes, but may not be limited to: What is Diabetes, Causes of Diabetes, Types of Diabetes, Typical treatment of Hypo and Hyperglycemia, Signs and symptoms of Hypo/Hyperglycemia, and reporting to nurse of these signs and symptoms, Importance of meal intake (undereating/overeating, etc) with reporting to nurse meal intake of less than 25%
Penalty
Resources
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