Failure to Monitor and Administer Insulin Leads to Resident's Critical Condition
Summary
The facility failed to provide adequate and necessary care to meet the total care needs of a resident, who was severely cognitively impaired and dependent on staff for activities of daily living. The facility did not consistently monitor blood glucose levels as ordered, failed to administer insulin as prescribed, and did not monitor the resident after an acute change in condition. This resulted in the resident experiencing elevated blood glucose levels, leading to diabetic ketoacidosis, severe hypernatremia, and septic shock, necessitating emergency medical intervention and transfer to a hospital. The resident was admitted with multiple diagnoses, including Type 1 diabetes mellitus and multiple sclerosis, and had a history of long-term insulin dependence. Despite having physician orders for insulin administration and blood glucose monitoring, there were multiple instances where the resident's blood sugar was not checked, and insulin was not administered as ordered. The resident's condition deteriorated, with symptoms such as clamminess, tremors, and abnormal vital signs, yet there was a lack of timely assessment and intervention by the facility staff. Interviews with facility staff revealed a lack of consistent monitoring and documentation of the resident's condition. The resident's mother reported signs of dehydration during a video chat, and the resident was later diagnosed with severe dehydration and other complications upon hospital admission. The facility's failure to adhere to physician orders and monitor the resident's condition contributed to the resident's critical health decline.
Removal Plan
- 911 was called and Resident #70 was transferred to the hospital for medical intervention due to an acute/significant change in condition. The resident did not return to the facility.
- Medical Director #20 was notified of the State agency concerns related to Resident #70.
- All licensed nurses were educated by ADON #1 and Registered Nurse (RN) #21 on the facility's policy of Notification of Change in Condition with emphasis on timely identification, ongoing monitoring and interventions provided to treat the change in condition.
- All licensed nurses were educated by ADON #1 and RN #21 on the facility policy identified as, Physician Orders with emphasis on medication administration of insulin and monitoring of blood glucose levels.
- ADON #1 educated Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) #4 on how to contact Information Technology (IT) (for computer issues), physician orders, notification of change in condition, clinical documentation standards, blood glucose monitoring, and managing diabetic change in condition.
- The Director of Nursing (DON)/designee audited the last 14 days of residents who had physician orders for insulin administration. Any resident found to have an omission of insulin administration had their physician and family notified. All concerns were addressed, and new orders were transcribed immediately.
- The DON/designee, RDCO #7 and ADON #1 audited the last 14 days of residents who had physician orders for blood glucose monitoring and/or antidiabetic medications. Any resident found to have a blood glucose outside their parameters and not with the appropriate follow up had their physician and family notified. All concerns were addressed, and new orders were transcribed immediately.
- The DON/designee audited the last 14 days of residents' progress notes for a change in condition. Any resident identified with a change in condition and found not to have interventions provided had their physician and family notified. All concerns were addressed, and new orders were transcribed immediately.
- ADON #1 re-educated LPN #4 in person on how to contact IT, physician orders, notification of change in condition, clinical documentation standards, blood glucose monitoring, and managing diabetic change in condition.
- An Ad Hoc Quality Assurance Performance (QAPI) meeting was held with the Interim Administrator, DON, RDCO #7, ADON #1, RN #21 and Medical Director #20 to discuss the concerns involving Resident #70 and a facility corrective action plan.
- LPN #4 received a final written warning corrective action for performance/policy violation related to medication administration, notification of change in condition, and resident monitoring. Failure to document and monitor resident in change in condition.
- The DON/designee would audit for change in condition by reviewing the progress notes in the daily clinical meeting. This would be an ongoing process.
- The DON/designee would complete an audit for missed/omitted insulin/antidiabetic medications and blood glucose monitoring in the daily clinical meeting. This would be an ongoing process.
- The DON/designee would begin audits on nurses completing blood glucose checks, administering insulin as needed, and documenting the process by observing three nurses weekly for four weeks then randomly thereafter.
- The Administrator and DON would continue to monitor compliance in the monthly QAPI meetings for three months then as needed for one year.
- RDCO #7 would continue to monitor compliance during monthly visits for three months then on an as needed basis.
Penalty
Resources
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