Failure to Maintain RN Coverage in Facility
Summary
The facility failed to ensure the presence of a Registered Nurse (RN) for 8 consecutive hours, 7 days a week, as required. This deficiency was identified through interviews and record reviews, which revealed that there was no RN coverage on multiple dates in December 2024 and January 2025. Specifically, the facility lacked RN coverage from December 2 to December 9, December 13 to December 18, December 20 to December 22, December 25, and from December 28 to January 6, 2025. The absence of an RN during these periods meant that residents did not have access to staff with advanced care skills, which could potentially affect their care needs. Interviews with facility staff, including the Administrator and the Business Office Manager (BOM), confirmed the lack of a full-time RN. The Administrator acknowledged the potential negative outcomes of not having an RN on duty, such as staff being unprepared to handle emergencies. The BOM also noted the absence of an RN as a lack of an additional set of eyes for resident care but was unaware of the reasons behind the staffing shortfall. The facility's Departmental Supervision policy, dated April 2006, mandates that nursing services be supervised by an RN or LPN/LVN at all times, with an RN employed as the Director of Nursing Services (DNS) during the day shift, Monday through Friday. However, this policy was not adhered to during the specified dates.
Penalty
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