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

Failure to Address Change in Condition Leads to Resident's Death

Heritagespring Healthcare Center Of West ChesterWest Chester, Ohio Survey Completed on 11-25-2024

Summary

The facility failed to provide appropriate treatment and care for a resident, resulting in Immediate Jeopardy and serious life-threatening harm that ultimately led to the resident's death. The resident, who was dependent on staff for oral intake, began coughing and showing signs of respiratory distress while being fed breakfast by a CNA. Despite the resident's evident distress, the CNA left the room to inform an LPN, who later entered the room but failed to perform a thorough assessment of the resident's condition. Throughout the morning, multiple staff members, including CNAs and LPNs, entered the resident's room and observed white phlegm-like secretions and signs of respiratory distress. However, none of the staff conducted a comprehensive assessment or took appropriate action to address the resident's deteriorating condition. The resident continued to exhibit signs of respiratory distress, including coughing and increased secretions, until he stopped breathing and CPR was initiated. The resident was pronounced dead after failed resuscitation attempts by EMS. The facility's failure to assess and respond to the resident's change in condition, despite multiple opportunities to do so, directly contributed to the resident's death. The report highlights the lack of timely and adequate medical intervention by the facility's staff, which was a significant factor in the adverse outcome.

Removal Plan

  • Resident #60's progress notes, orders, and care plans were reviewed by Corporate Registered Nurse/Nurse Educator #111. No concerns were noted.
  • The DON and UM/LPN #21 interviewed LPN #22, CNAs #12, #11 and #13 in regard to Resident #60's condition prior to the resident coding. Interviews were completed.
  • ADON #45 reviewed all current residents with any new progress notes during the past 24 hours to review for a possible change of condition. No concerns were identified.
  • The DON reviewed all current residents with any new progress notes during the past 24 hours to review for a possible change of condition. No concerns were identified.
  • The DON was provided in-service education by VPN #112 on the Change of Condition policy and conducting assessments including, but not limited to, vital signs and pulmonary assessment.
  • A Quality Assurance (QA) meeting was held with the Administrator, Medical Director #90 (Via Phone), the DON, ADON #45, CRN/Nurse Educator #111, and VPN #112 to review findings. The QA committee developed, reviewed and approved the plan of action. This QA meeting included a review of the Change of Condition policy. No changes were made to the Change of Condition policy. A determination was made for a plan of action including, but not limited to, plan to assess all residents' vitals and lungs in house.
  • All 107 current residents' vital signs were obtained by the DON, ADON #45, LPN #21, RNs #32, #30, #33, #28, Physical Therapist #110, Director of Therapy #100 and all vital signs were completed. Resident #05 refused vital signs.
  • All 107 current residents' pulmonary status were assessed by the DON, ADON #45, UM/LPN #21, RNs #32, #30, #33 and #28. All assessments were completed. Resident #05 and Resident #42 refused assessments. Resident #32 was assessed with left lung rhonchi and right lung with diminished breath sounds. NP #80 was notified, and a new order for chest x-ray and albuterol was obtained. Resident #30 was assessed with coughing and diminished bilateral lung sounds. NP #80 was notified, and guaifenesin and a chest x-ray were ordered.
  • The DON and CRN/Nurse Educator #111 started an additional in-service education to the current 37 licensed nurses. This education was sent electronically, verified it was delivered, then reached out to every nurse for verification. The education included, but was not limited to, ensuring a nurse assesses residents for potential change in condition. A resident assessment for a change in condition assessment includes, but not limited to, vital signs and cardiopulmonary assessment.
  • The DON and CRN/Nurse Educator #111 provided the 37 licensed nursing staff with one-on-one additional in-service education. This additional in-service education included, but was not limited to, ensuring a nurse assesses residents for potential change in condition. A resident assessment for a change in condition assessment includes, but not limited to, vital signs and cardiopulmonary assessment. Any licensed nurse not on-site was provided education via telephone by the DON. The education onsite and via telephone were completed for all licensed nursing staff. All licensed nurses were able to verbalize understanding of the educational content.
  • The DON reviewed all current residents with any new progress notes during the past 24 hours to review for a possible change of condition. No concerns were identified.
  • To monitor ongoing compliance, the DON or designee will review current residents progress notes daily from the past 24 hours to review for a possible change of condition. This will be completed daily for 30 days.
  • A Performance Improvement Audit Worksheet is being completed for 10 random residents to ensure the residents are assessed for potential changes in condition using a general physical assessment and obtaining vital signs. The Performance Improvement Audit Worksheet is being completed by the DON or designee daily for seven days, then three times per week for four weeks, then weekly for four weeks, then monthly. If any issues are noted, the DON will take appropriate action at the time the concern is noted. Results of the Performance Improvement Audit Worksheet will be reported to the QA committee for a determination of the need for further ongoing formal monitoring.
  • A QA meeting was held with the Administrator, Medical Director #90 (Via Phone), DON, ADON #45, CRN/Nurse Educator #111, and VPN #112 to review education and the audit findings. The QA committee reviewed the plan and no concerns were identified. The QA committee will monitor weekly for four weeks.
  • Medical Director #90 was notified of Immediate Jeopardy by the Administrator.
  • Interviews with LPN #23, LPN #27, LPN #24, LPN #21, and ADON #45 revealed the staff had received education and in-service training on change in condition, physician notification, documentation and were knowledgeable about the facility's procedures and processes.
  • Review of the medical records for five additional residents (#30, #32, #75, #112, and #113) related to a change in condition, revealed no concerns were noted.

Penalty

Fine: $20,965
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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
D
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
D
F0684 F684: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Short Summary

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
D
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
K
F0684 F684: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Short Summary

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

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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