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

Failure to Administer Seizure Medications Leads to Resident's Hospitalization

Bethesda Care CenterFremont, Ohio Survey Completed on 12-13-2024

Summary

The facility failed to ensure that a resident with epilepsy received their prescribed seizure medications, leading to a serious incident. The resident, who had a history of epilepsy and other medical conditions, was admitted to the facility but did not receive their prescribed medications, including Lyrica, lacosamide, and Risperdal. This oversight resulted in the resident experiencing continual tonic-clonic seizures, which required emergency medical intervention and transfer to a hospital's neurological ICU. The deficiency was further compounded by the facility's failure to notify the physician about the resident not receiving their medications and the subsequent seizure activity. The resident's mother, who was the primary caregiver, was assured by the facility that all necessary medications were available, but this was not the case. The resident's condition deteriorated, and despite the mother's efforts to provide medication from home, the facility did not have the necessary medications on hand, nor did they promptly address the situation with the physician. The facility's documentation and communication failures were evident in the lack of recorded doses of critical medications and the absence of timely physician notification. The resident's medical records showed discrepancies in medication orders and administration, contributing to the resident's severe condition. The facility's policies on medication administration and change in resident condition were not followed, leading to the resident's critical health episode.

Removal Plan

  • Resident #76 was transferred to the hospital for seizure like activity.
  • Upon review of the medical record, the DON identified that Resident #76 did not receive his scheduled Lyrica, lacosamide and Risperdal. A self-imposed plan of correction (SIPOC) was completed.
  • SIPOC included review of resident charts who had been admitted within the last 30 days by the DON/Designee, to ensure all physician's orders were transcribed correctly and are administered per order, and all resident medications are available to be administered at the facility.
  • Facility nurses were educated by the DON/designee regarding medication order transcription as well as documentation of medication administration, including medications not available and on order from pharmacy, physician notification, and alternate medication administration and representative (RP) notifications.
  • The Medical Director was notified via AD Hoc Quality Assurance Review. Review of processes for medication transcription, medication administration and notification of medications not available to physicians and RP.
  • The DON completed education to all licensed nurses regarding admission order transcription and obtaining medications from the pharmacy.
  • All residents admitted within the last 30 days were reviewed by the DON and/or the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON), to ensure all orders were transcribed accurately and all medications were available for administration and no discrepancies were identified.
  • The DON/Designee will complete a comprehensive medication order review of all admissions/readmissions within 24 hours to verify accuracy of order transcription and availability of medication for administration.
  • The facility has had three admissions (Resident #40, Resident #72, and Resident #75), and all medication orders were audited to be accurate and ensure medication availability.
  • New admissions and readmissions will continue to be reviewed for transcription accuracy and availability of medications for 4 weeks and reviewed with Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) for compliance.
  • Education was initiated by Staff Development Coordinator (SDC) #158 with licensed nurses on Seizures: Clinical Protocol, Assessment and Recognition.
  • An Ad hoc Policy Review was held with the Administrator, DON, Regional Director of Clinical Services (RDCS) #103, and the Medical Director to confirm the systems implemented and reviewed to ensure that residents receive medications as ordered by the physician and to meet their total care needs.
  • The DON and the ADON verified all prescribed medications for current residents have been transcribed accurately. Current orders were verified for all residents with no discrepancies identified.
  • All residents were assessed by the DON, the ADON, and/or Infection Preventionist (IP) Registered Nurse (RN) #176. Four residents were noted to have a change in condition and physicians/physician assistants were notified per policy and orders received as indicated.
  • All licensed nurses were re-educated by the DON and/or SDC #158 on the policies and procedures for Admission Assessment and Follow Up: Role of the Nurse, Reconciliation of Medications on Admission, Administering Medications, Change in Resident's Condition or Status, and the procedure for obtaining medications from pharmacy if not available.
  • Previously initiated seizure education was also completed at this time. Education to include 13 licensed nurses. Agency staff will be educated upon arrival for and prior to their scheduled shift. All newly hired licensed nurses will be educated at the time of orientation.
  • An Ad hoc Resident Council meeting was held with Activities Director #115 and the DON to review the process for obtaining medications and change in resident condition notification.
  • The DON/Designee will complete a comprehensive medication order review of admission/readmission charts within 24 hours of admission/readmission.
  • Medication orders will be verified for accurate transcription and implementation of medications, and proper medication administration of ordered medications.
  • The DON/Designee will complete ongoing auditing of medical records to ensure changes in condition are reported per policy. Ad hoc education will be completed as indicated.
  • Admission and readmission orders will be reviewed for transcription and receipt of medications from pharmacy for 4 weeks and reviewed by QAPI for continued compliance.
  • Review of all resident medication availability and administration will continue 5 times/week for 4 weeks with QAPI review for compliance.

Penalty

Fine: $99,390
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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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