F0883 F883: Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
E

Failure to Administer Vaccines to Residents

Norwalk Care CenterNorwalk, Connecticut Survey Completed on 10-09-2024

Summary

The facility failed to administer the pneumococcal and influenza vaccines to two residents as required by their policies. Resident #26, who was admitted in September 2023 with diagnoses including anemia, end-stage renal disease, and major depressive disorder, did not receive the pneumococcal vaccine upon admission. The facility's electronic medical record system indicated that Resident #26 required the pneumococcal vaccine, but there was no documentation of its administration. The Infection Preventionist (IP) nurse, who started in July 2024, noted that the admitting supervisor was responsible for obtaining vaccination consent and status, but this was not completed for Resident #26. Resident #87, admitted in November 2022 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, and a pulmonary nodule, also did not receive the pneumococcal vaccine despite giving consent on November 7, 2022. The electronic medical record system showed that Resident #87 required the vaccine, but there was no record of its administration. The IP nurse indicated that the infection control nurse should have followed up on the vaccine consent documentation and obtained a physician's order to administer the vaccine, but this was not done. Additionally, Resident #87 consented to receive the influenza vaccine on November 7, 2022, but there was no documentation of its administration in the clinical records. The facility's policy required that all residents receive the influenza vaccine annually unless contraindicated or refused, and that new admissions during the influenza season be offered the vaccine. The IP nurse was in the process of reviewing the resident's vaccination information, but the deficiency in administering the vaccines was evident.

Penalty

Inspection fine: $38,422
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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 F0883 citations
Failure to Offer Recommended Pneumococcal Vaccination
D
F0883 F883: Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Short Summary

Failure to Offer Recommended Pneumococcal Vaccination: A resident with moderately impaired cognition and diagnoses including kidney disease, dementia, and diabetes had documentation showing prior PCV13 and PPSV23 immunizations, but the medical record did not show shared clinical decision-making or that PCV20/21 had been offered or given. The IP confirmed the resident should have been offered an additional pneumococcal vaccine and did not see that this occurred before survey start; the facility policy stated vaccines would be offered per current CDC guidance.

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.
Influenza Vaccine Consent and Declination Documentation
D
F0883 F883: Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Short Summary

Influenza vaccine consent and declination documentation was incomplete for two residents. One resident received the flu vaccine without documented education, and another resident declined the vaccine without documented education or a signed declination form. Administrative staff reported there were no current signed consents or declinations, and the facility policy required use of the Patient/Resident Declination/Authorization Form.

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 Offer Eligible Pneumococcal Vaccine
D
F0883 F883: Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Short Summary

Failure to Offer Eligible Pneumococcal Vaccine: A resident with diabetes and Parkinson’s disease had documentation of prior PCV13 and PPSV23 immunizations, making the resident eligible for PCV20 or PCV21 after the required interval. However, the EHR lacked evidence that the resident or representative was offered, educated on, or provided the vaccine, and the DON and ADON confirmed the facility had not offered a PCV vaccine.

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 Offer Recommended Pneumococcal Vaccination Updates
D
F0883 F883: Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Short Summary

Failure to Offer Recommended Pneumococcal Vaccination Updates: The DON, pharmacy, and nursing staff did not ensure two residents were offered pneumococcal vaccine updates based on CDC PneumoRecs guidance. One resident with dementia, CKD, CHF, and COPD had prior PPSV23 and was not offered the recommended PCV update during short-term rehab before moving to LTC status; another resident with hepatic encephalopathy and NASH had prior PPSV23 and PCV13 but was also not offered the recommended PCV20/PCV21 update. Both residents stated they would have accepted vaccines if offered.

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 Provide Ordered Pneumococcal Immunization
D
F0883 F883: Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Short Summary

A resident with Alzheimer's disease and severe dementia with psychotic disturbance consented to receive the pneumococcal vaccine, but the medical record contained no documentation that it was administered. The DON confirmed the resident did not receive his immunizations.

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 Offer Updated Pneumococcal Vaccination
D
F0883 F883: Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Short Summary

Failure to Offer Updated Pneumococcal Vaccination: The facility failed to ensure two residents were offered and/or provided updated pneumococcal vaccination per CDC guidance. One resident over age 65 with DM2, kidney failure, and DVT had records showing prior PCV13 and PPSV23 but no evidence of PCV20 or PCV21, and the chart stated the vaccine was not indicated and the resident was up to date. Another resident, younger than 65 with CAD, thyroid disease, and malnutrition, also had PPSV23 documented with no evidence of PCV20 or PCV21, while the consent form likewise stated the vaccine was not indicated and the resident was up to date.

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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