Failure to Notify Physicians of Blood Sugar Irregularities
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to notify physicians of elevated or decreased Capillary Blood Glucose (CBG) levels and failed to assess residents for hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, resulting in immediate jeopardy for 14 of 22 residents. The facility's diabetic protocol and hypoglycemia policy required staff to notify physicians of significant blood glucose level changes and to assess residents for signs of hypoglycemia. However, the facility did not have procedures in place for managing hyperglycemia, which contributed to the deficiency. Several residents with diabetes had blood sugar levels that were either too high or too low, but there was no documentation of physician notification or follow-up actions. For instance, one resident had a blood sugar level of 509, but the LPN did not receive a response from the Registered Nurse Supervisor or the provider, and no additional interventions were completed. Another resident was admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of hypoglycemia after experiencing a fall and a change in mental status, but there was no record of a blood sugar check at the time of the incident. The facility's failure to document and follow up on out-of-range blood sugar levels was consistent across multiple residents. In several cases, blood sugar results were documented as high, but there was no note showing notification or follow-up. Interviews with staff revealed that while they were aware of the procedures for managing out-of-range blood sugars, there were lapses in documentation and communication with the physician, leading to the deficiency.
Plan Of Correction
Resident R 150 was assessed for s/s hyperglycemia by the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) and none were noted. The blood sugar of 509 was reported to the physician by the RN supervisor and there were no new orders. Residents R 150, R195, R8, R6, R 57, R56, R79, R32, R44, R65, R22, R38, R39, and R59's blood sugars from the previous 24 hours (1/8/2025-1/9/2025) was completed to ensure no blood sugars out of range did not have physician notification. Residents R 150, R195, R8, R6, R 57, R56, R79, R32, R44, R65, R22, R38, R39, and R59's care plans were reviewed to ensure care plans reflected diabetes and had approaches for hypo and hyperglycemia management on 1/8/2025 by the Registered Nurse Assessment Coordinator (RNAC)/designee. Current residents and new admissions and readmissions with diabetes have the potential to be affected. Blood sugars of current residents with diabetes were reviewed on 1/8/2025 by the ADON to determine if any blood sugars were out of range and none were noted. Current residents with diabetes had their care plans reviewed by the RNAC/designee to ensure care plans reflected diabetes and had approaches for hypo and hyperglycemia management. A review of current residents with diabetes who require sliding scales will be conducted by the DON/designee to ensure sliding scales have physician ordered parameters appropriate to the resident. To prevent recurrence, licensed nursing staff was educated by the Director of Nursing/ designee on the Diabetic Protocol, the Hypoglycemia policy, and the Change of Condition policy to include notification of physician of blood sugars out of range. Newly hired licensed nursing staff will receive the education in orientation by the Director of Nursing/designee. Licensed nursing staff will receive directed in servicing on F 684 by Affinity Health Services on 1/27/2025. To monitor and maintain compliance, the DON/ designee has reviewed blood sugars daily x 1 week and will continue to review blood sugars daily x 1 more week, then 3x a week for 2 weeks, then weekly x 2 weeks to ensure physician notification is made for out of range blood sugars. To monitor and maintain compliance, new admissions/readmissions have been reviewed by the DON/designee 5x a week for 1 week and will continue 5x a week for 1 more week, then 3x a week for 2 weeks then weekly x 2 weeks to ensure care plans implemented for diabetes management. Results of the audits will be forwarded to the center QAPI committee for review and recommendations.
Removal Plan
- Resident R150 was assessed by the Assistant Director of Nursing. Resident had no signs or symptoms of hyperglycemia.
- RNS Employee E2 spoke with the physician and reported the blood sugar of 509. The physician did not give any further orders.
- Education was initiated with facility RNs and LPNs on the Diabetic Protocol, the Hypoglycemia policy, and the Resident Change in Condition policy to include hyperglycemia is a change in condition, and notifications to the physician of blood sugars out of range.
- Residents R150, R195, R8, R6, R57, R56, R79, R32, R44, R65, R22, R38, R39, and R59's blood sugars were reviewed to ensure none were out of range without physician notification.
- An ad hoc QAPI committee meeting was held, and the medical director was made aware of the findings.
- The RN assessment coordinator is reviewing the care plans for residents R150, R195, R8, R6, R57, R56, R79, R32, R44, R65, R22, R38, R39, and R59 to ensure the care plan reflects diabetes and there are approaches for diabetic emergency management.
- Current residents with diabetes were reviewed by the ADON to determine if blood sugars were out of range and none were noted out of range.
- Current residents with diabetes are being reviewed by the RN assessment coordinator to ensure the care plan reflects diabetes and there are approaches for diabetic emergency management.
- Root cause analysis completed by the center QAPI committee and determined failure to follow the Resident Change in Condition policy led to the allegation.
- To prevent recurrence, the Director of Nursing initiated education with facility RNs and LPNs including agency staff on the Diabetic Protocol, the Hypoglycemia policy, and the Resident Change in Condition policy to include hyperglycemia is a change in condition and notification of the physician of blood sugars out of range. RNs and LPNs that were not on duty received education via phone and will receive in person education on their next scheduled shift.
- Newly hired RNs and LPNs will be educated on the Resident Change of Condition policy, the Diabetic Protocol, and the Hypoglycemia policy in orientation by the Director of Nursing/ designee.
- To monitor and maintain compliance, the Director of Nursing/ designee will review blood sugars to determine if any blood sugars were out of range and notifications made. If notification not documented, the physician will be contacted at the time of discovery and notified, and new orders implemented as needed.
- To monitor and maintain compliance, new admissions/ readmissions with diabetes will be reviewed by the DON/ designee to ensure a care plan is implemented for diabetes including approaches for diabetic emergency management.
- Results of the audits will be forwarded to the center QAPI committee for review and recommendations.