Failure to Notify Physicians of Blood Sugar Irregularities
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.
Penalty
Resources
Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:
An LPN administered only one tablet of methotrexate instead of the ordered six-tablet dose for a resident with RA. The facility also failed to maintain ordered midline IV care for another resident receiving IV abx, with observations showing a soiled dressing, site discoloration, and later no midline or IV pump present despite orders for ongoing site monitoring, dressing changes, and line removal after tx completion.
A resident with dementia and COPD had an order for continuous O2 via NC, with SpO2 to be maintained between 88% and 92% and not exceed 92%. The record showed SpO2 readings below 88% on room air and multiple readings above 92% while on supplemental O2, with no nursing interventions documented; the DON stated the resident’s SpO2 should have been better monitored and the physician’s O2 order more closely followed.
A resident with a stage 4 pressure injury and sepsis had ongoing loose stools, but the MAR showed no documented PRN loperamide use and the record showed no provider notification despite repeated large loose stools. The same resident was also receiving daily anticoagulant injections and was observed with dark red urine in an indwelling catheter, yet there was no documented bleeding/bruising monitoring, no progress note about the blood in the urine, and no alert charting.
A resident with chronic GI symptoms, malnutrition, diabetes, depression, and PTSD had persistent watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea, but the facility did not adequately track stool testing, confirm lab results, or complete the ordered GI referral. The resident reported frequent diarrhea, fatigue, reduced intake, and soreness, while staff documentation showed conflicting entries about specimen refusal versus sleeping, and the lab later had no record of the specimen that was charted as sent. The record also lacked evidence that the GI specialist appointment was scheduled or completed, and a separate resident’s ordered ECHO for pericardial effusion was not documented as scheduled or completed.
A resident with a growing facial lesion had a dermatology consult delayed for about 3 months. The resident’s chart included provider orders for dermatology follow-up, but the appointment remained pending while the lesion increased in size. Notes from the NP and unit manager documented ongoing waiting for the consult, and the DON stated the health plan should have scheduled it and that consults need to be scheduled in a timely manner.
A resident with HTN and HF had an order for metoprolol succinate to be held if the pulse was below 55 bpm, but MAR and pulse record review showed missing pulse documentation on multiple occasions, pulse checks done after the med was given, and doses administered when the pulse was less than 55 bpm. Staff stated the pulse should have been checked before administration, and the DNS confirmed the expectation was to follow the order and hold the med when indicated.
Medication Dose Error and Midline IV Care Failure
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to administer the correct dosage of Methotrexate Sodium for a resident with rheumatoid arthritis. During medication administration, an LPN poured only one 2.5 mg tablet into the medication cup and then administered the medications, even though the physician order required six tablets by mouth every Wednesday for a total dose of 15 mg. The LPN later stated that she should have given six tablets and not one, and the DON stated that the nurse reported the error to her and was instructed to call the provider and notify the resident. The facility policy stated that medications are to be administered in accordance with prescriber orders. The facility also failed to provide IV device care as ordered for a resident receiving midline therapy and IV antibiotics. Observation showed the resident’s midline dressing dated 5/30/2026 with visible purple discoloration at the insertion site and dry blood under the clear dressing, while an empty antibiotic bag remained in the room. On a later observation, the midline and dressing were no longer present, and the IV pump was also absent. The resident’s orders included weekly dressing changes, every-shift site monitoring, and removal of the midline after treatment was complete. The Medical Director stated that the line is to be removed immediately after the last antibiotic dose, and the DON stated that after a verbal order is obtained it is to be entered into PCC by the end of the shift.
Failure to Follow Oxygen Orders for Resident with COPD
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure physician orders were followed for Resident #11, who was admitted with multiple diagnoses including dementia and COPD. On 6/8/26, the resident had an order for oxygen via nasal cannula continuously and twice daily for COPD, with oxygen titrated to maintain SpO2 between 88% and 92% and not to exceed 92%. The resident’s medical record showed SpO2 readings below 88% on 5/23/26 at 4:27 PM and 5/16/26 at 10:20 AM while on room air, with no interventions documented. The record also showed multiple SpO2 readings above the ordered range while the resident was on supplemental oxygen, including readings of 95% to 98% on several dates, without any nursing intervention documented. Nursing progress notes likewise documented SpO2 of 97% and 98% on 2 L NC without documented intervention. On 6/9/26, the DON stated the resident’s SpO2 should have been better monitored and the physician’s oxygen order more closely followed by staff and was not.
Failure to Monitor Loose Stools and Bleeding During Anticoagulant Therapy
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide treatment and care according to orders, resident preferences, and goals for Resident 81, who was admitted with a stage 4 pressure injury to the bottom and sepsis and was able to make needs known. For bowel management, the resident reported loose stools for a couple of weeks and later stated they had been having diarrhea with abdominal discomfort for 3 days, so loperamide was started as needed. The bowel monitor documented repeated loose stools over several days, including two loose stools on 06/04/2026, three large loose stools on 06/05/2026, and two large loose stools on 06/06/2026 through 06/08/2026. The resident stated staff had not given any medication for the loose stools, the June 2026 MAR showed no documented doses of loperamide, and the record showed no documentation that the provider was notified of the three large loose stools. Staff interviews indicated that frequent loose stools should have been reported to the provider, PRN medication given, and the resident placed on alert charting, but this did not occur. For anticoagulant therapy, Resident 81 was receiving daily anticoagulant injections starting 05/21/2026. During observation, the resident was lying in bed with an indwelling urinary catheter and dark red urine was noted in the tube and bag; the resident stated, "It's never been like that. It's scary." The EHR showed no monitoring for bleeding and bruising related to anticoagulant therapy, and the progress notes contained no documentation about the blood in the urine or alert charting. Staff interviews confirmed the resident had blood in the catheter for a couple of days and that monitoring for bleeding should have been in place, but it was not.
Failure to Follow Up on GI Symptoms, Stool Testing, Specialty Referral, and Diagnostic Order
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to assess, monitor, follow up, and implement physician-ordered care for a resident with ongoing gastrointestinal symptoms, and failed to develop a care plan addressing persistent diarrhea. The resident was cognitively intact, had diagnoses including diabetes mellitus, protein-calorie malnutrition, depression, and PTSD, and was documented as continent, independent with toileting and transfers, and using a wheelchair. The resident’s care plan addressed GI issues such as peptic ulcer disease, pancreatitis, and chronic nausea, but it did not include a problem, goals, or interventions for ongoing diarrhea, abdominal pain, stool testing, infectious GI illness, or management of frequent stools. The resident’s provider documented worsening diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea, and ordered stool testing for enteric pathogens and C. difficile, along with a GI specialist follow-up. Facility records showed repeated documentation of stool collection attempts, including entries that the resident refused or was sleeping, while the resident stated she never refused and that staff often asked when she could not provide a sample or was asleep. A stool specimen was documented as collected and faxed to the lab as STAT, but the medical record lacked laboratory results for that specimen, and later review with the lab found no record that the specimen had been received. The resident continued to report frequent watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue, reduced intake, and soreness from repeated bowel movements and wiping. The record also showed that the ordered GI specialist appointment was not documented as scheduled or completed. Staff interviews identified that the HUC was responsible for scheduling follow-up appointments, while nursing staff were expected to enter orders and follow up on pending testing. The DON stated staff should have followed up on pending stool testing, maintained infection control precautions while awaiting results, and notified the provider if the resident refused specimen collection. The resident was later found to have C. difficile detected on stool testing, and the record showed delayed identification and treatment after weeks of unresolved symptoms. In a separate deficiency, the facility failed to ensure a physician’s order was implemented for another resident with end stage renal disease, pericardial effusion, atrial flutter, chronic heart failure, and dialysis dependence. The physician ordered that an echocardiogram be scheduled for the resident by a specified timeframe, but the electronic record lacked documentation that the ECHO had been scheduled, implemented, or completed. The DON and Administrator stated that physician orders were to be entered and verified, and that medical records staff scheduled appointments and nurse managers oversaw implementation, but the order was not completed.
Delayed Dermatology Appointment for Facial Lesion
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a dermatology appointment was scheduled for a resident with a facial skin growth, resulting in a 3-month delay in evaluation. Resident #97 had a raised red growth on the left side of the chin/jaw area, with part of the growth hanging from the chin and tangled with the resident’s long hair. During an interview, the resident stated that the nurse practitioner wanted it removed and that it was benign, and later stated that it was growing and needed to be seen by a dermatologist. Record review showed provider orders dated 2/16/2026 and 3/6/2026 for follow-up with dermatology for the lesion on the left jaw/facial lesion, with the health plan to schedule the appointment. Notes from the nurse practitioner and unit manager documented that the resident had been waiting on dermatology, that the lesion had increased in size over the past month, and that the appointment was still pending. The DON stated the health care plan should have scheduled the dermatology consult and that consults need to be scheduled in a timely manner, and also stated there was no policy for scheduling appointments.
Failure to Follow Hold Parameters for Metoprolol
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to follow physician orders for a resident admitted with hypertension and heart failure who had an order for metoprolol succinate to be held if the pulse was less than 55 bpm. Review of the MAR and pulse records showed no pulse documentation on multiple dates in May and June 2026, and on several dates the resident’s pulse was taken after the medication had already been administered. The records also showed that metoprolol succinate was administered on several dates when the resident’s pulse was less than 55 bpm. During interviews, staff stated the pulse should have been checked before giving the medication, and the DNS stated the MAR was not triggering for the pulse to be taken prior to administration, while also confirming the expectation was to follow the physician order and hold the medication if the pulse was below 55 bpm.
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