Failure to Provide Timely Care for Resident with Urinary Retention
Summary
The facility failed to provide timely care and services for a resident with an indwelling urinary retention catheter, leading to prolonged bladder pain due to urinary retention. The resident, who had moderately impaired cognition and required assistance for various activities, was admitted with an indwelling catheter due to urinary retention. Despite the resident's complaints of pain and changes in urinary output, the staff did not perform necessary assessments or interventions. On the evening shift, a registered nurse failed to recognize the decreasing urinary output and did not document their assessment in the resident's medical record. The nurse also did not utilize tools such as a bladder scanner or irrigate the catheter to ensure a thorough assessment. During the night shift, a licensed practical nurse did not perform any assessment or provide necessary care, despite being informed of the resident's hard abdomen, minimal urine output, and need for pain medication. The resident experienced significant discomfort, with a distended and hard abdomen, and expressed feeling helpless and in pain. The resident's call light was used multiple times without adequate response from the nursing staff. It was not until the morning shift that a bladder scan was performed, revealing a large volume of urine in the bladder, and a new catheter was inserted, relieving the resident's pain.
Removal Plan
- Resident 1 was immediately assessed by a LN and action was taken to address their medical needs. The physician was notified, and orders received to continue to monitor resident.
- Staff A and Staff B, involved in the care and assessment of Resident 1, were suspended and then terminated for failure to assess a change of condition in accordance with professional standards.
- All LNs had received education regarding change of condition related to catheter care, maintenance and output monitoring.
- Audits would be conducted weekly through the clinical meeting process to ensure residents with catheters were voiding without difficulty. Results of the audits would be reviewed through the facility Quality Assurance Performance Improvement Committee process monthly for three months to ensure compliance with plan of correction and further develop a plan if needed. First audit was completed and reviewed.
Penalty
Resources
Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:
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