Transport Driver's Failure to Secure Resident Leads to Injury
Summary
The facility's contracted transport driver failed to leave a resident in place for a clinical assessment of injury after a fall that occurred during transport. The resident, who was being transported back from a medical appointment in a contract transport van, was unsecured in her wheelchair. The driver made a sudden stop, causing the resident to fall forward out of her wheelchair onto the van floor. The driver then pulled the van off to the side of the road, transferred the resident back into her wheelchair, and continued back to the facility without notifying facility staff of the incident. Upon arrival at the facility, the resident informed staff of the fall, and a subsequent assessment by nursing staff revealed swelling and a skin tear to her left knee. A hospital CT scan later confirmed that the resident had suffered a distal left fracture to the femur due to the fall. The resident had a history of multiple sclerosis, muscle weakness, and contractures, which may have contributed to her vulnerability to injury. Interviews with the Director of Nursing and the physician revealed that the driver did not have the resident assessed by medical personnel prior to moving her after the fall. The physician indicated that moving a resident before an assessment could cause further injury or trauma. The facility's administrator confirmed that the driver had not secured the resident into her wheelchair and had not contacted medical personnel after the fall, as corroborated by video footage from the van.
Removal Plan
- The facility initiated immediate investigation. Resident #12 medical director and responsible person made aware of incident. Order obtained for x-ray to the left ankle, left foot, left knee, left tibia and left fibula. Resident complained of pain, MD notified, and new orders obtained for Ibuprofen and Tylenol for acute pain post fall. Pain medication effective with a pain scale of 0 noted. Resident transported via ambulance and MD was notified of the transport. Resident returned back to the facility via stretcher accompanied by two emergency management technicians attendants. Resident complained of pain and discomfort to the left femur upon assessment pain meds were administered and effective. New orders from emergency department for Naproxen. Ortho follow up appointment with Orthopedic surgery as soon as possible. Facility made Resident an Ortho appointment. RP and MD made aware of the appointment. Resident was taken to Ortho via facility transport. Ortho plan state Resident is not a strong surgical candidate given knee contracture, would not recommend a long leg cast. Instead recommended a knee immobilizer and limit range of motion of including weight-bearing.
- The Director of Nursing reviewed the accidents for the last three months and there were no other situations where licensed nurses did not assess the resident before the resident was moved.
- The van drivers were re-educated by the Administrator on the proper procedures if a resident was to have a fall/injury or abnormal event in the facility van, that 911 is to be called prior to moving the resident. The education was already a component of the Transportation Driver orientation given by Administrator/Designee. The Administrator notified the contract transportation company via phone, and stated that until proof of driver training to include wheelchair procedures and calling 911, then contracted transportation will not be utilized. Any transportation from contract services was required to provide the driver's PASS training to the Administrator/Designee prior to transporting the facilities residents. These competencies are maintained by the Administrator/Designee. The contracted transportation supervisor who is PASS Certified completed education for contracted drivers and ongoing; prior to transporting facility residents. This education included both wheelchair patent procedures and to contact 911 immediately should any emergencies with patients occur during transport.
- Director of Nursing/Designee audited incident/accident logs to ensure no resident had a fall during transportation and 911 wasn't called. Director of Nursing/Designee reviewed incident/accident logs 5 days a week for 4 weeks, 3 days a week for 4 weeks and weekly for 4 weeks. Administrator made the decision to take audits to the monthly Quality Assurance meeting for tracking, trending, and recommendations from the IDT team. Interviews with facility transporters revealed they had received education on proper procedures if a resident was to have a fall, injury, or accident in the facility van, that 911 was to be called immediately, do not move resident until assessed by a medical professional, and call facility to notify of incident. The education was included as a component of the transportation orientation. Contract transport company re-education verified staff were educated on passenger safety and sensitivity training, wheelchair procedures, and calling 911 immediately for any emergencies during transport. Review of the audit tool for the review of the incident/ accident logs was completed with no issues noted. Interviews were also conducted with alert and oriented residents who had been transported with no concerns, incidents, or accidents identified. Interview with the Administrator revealed she had educated facility transport drivers on proper procedures if a fall, injury, or accident occurred while transporting to include calling 911 immediately and not moving resident until assessed by medical personnel and notifying facility of the incident. The Administrator also verified the contract transport company had educated their drivers on the proper wheelchair procedures, calling 911 for any emergencies during transport, and safety and sensitivity training.
Penalty
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