Failure to Provide Timely Medical Assessment and Intervention
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident received care and services consistent with professional standards of practice, as outlined in the Wisconsin Nurse Practice Act. A resident experienced a significant change in condition, including weakness, abnormal lung sounds, a fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Despite these symptoms, the facility did not complete a comprehensive nursing assessment by a registered nurse, nor did they consult with a physician as the resident's condition continued to deteriorate. The resident, who was admitted with diagnoses including end-stage renal disease, congestive heart failure, and a left ankle fracture, showed signs of respiratory distress and cognitive decline. The last documented RN assessment occurred in the morning, and it was not until 12.5 hours later that a physician was consulted, which included interventions. Throughout the day, the resident's condition worsened, and the facility's failure to act promptly and appropriately resulted in the resident's death later that night. Interviews with staff revealed that there was a lack of communication and follow-up regarding the resident's deteriorating condition. The LPN on duty did not speak to a physician or have an RN assess the resident before their passing. Additionally, the facility's policy for notifying physicians and conducting assessments was not followed, contributing to the immediate jeopardy situation.
Removal Plan
- The Administrator, Chief Nursing Officer of the Hospital, and Facility Medical Director outlined the steps to contact a physician 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A physician will be available to assess patients 24 hours a day. This process has been communicated to all Hospitalists, Hospital Nurse Practitioners, Hospital RN House Supervisors, Administrator, Administrator Assistant, Director of Nursing, Assistant Director of Nursing, and the President of Hospital Operations.
- All Nursing staff were contacted and educated to ensure an RN assessment is completed when a resident presents with a change of condition, deterioration in their condition, and/or an immediate MD/NP consultation is needed in order to alter treatment if necessary.
- The Hospital Chief Nursing Officer reeducated every RN Hospital House Supervisors to implement the following: Frequent rounding is required in the facility to check on staff and ensure patient safety. If anyone from the facility calls the Nursing Services Office and has questions, are worried about patient safety, or seems that they are unsure what to do they are to immediately go to the facility and assess the situation and assist with calling physicians as needed. When RN House Supervisors are here, they are in charge of the hospital and everyone in it including patients and staff.
- The Hospitalist Physician assigned to the orange phone will respond to all calls and the Hospitalist Physician assigned to the black phone will respond to all calls.
- The facility Protocol for Condition Changes was revised to include the following; If a significant change in the resident's physical or mental condition occurs, a head-to-toe assessment of the resident's condition will be conducted by the RN on duty or by the MD/NP on call. The Director of Nursing has educated all Nursing Staff to the revision.
- A SNF Change of Condition Notification Protocol was developed to outline the new process of notifying the Physician of any change in a patient's condition.
- The RN Hospital Shift Supervisors will provide frequent rounding at the facility on all shifts and check in with RN/LPN on shift.
- RN Hospital Shift Supervisors will provide assistance with any patient at the facility and will come to the unit if the facility Nursing needs immediate assistance.
- If an LPN is on duty when the DON and/or ADON are not on duty, the RN Hospital Shift Supervisor will be contacted to conduct and document an RN assessment of the patient if there has been a change of condition or if the patient needs immediate assistance.
- If the facility nurse is unable to reach a physician using the protocol below; the nurse will contact the RN Hospital Shift Supervisor.
- If the nurse is unable to reach a physician using the call tree outlined in this protocol, the nurse is to contact the RN Hospital Shift Supervisor back who will then contact the Hospital Chief Nursing Officer for support.
- RRTs and Code Blues called within the facility will follow the RRT or Code Blue protocols located in the Emergency Management Binder.
- A SNF Change of Condition Reporting Protocol was revised to include the following: Our facility shall promptly notify the resident, his or her attending physician, and representative of changes in the resident's condition and/or status.
- The Director of Nursing will audit all charts for any Change of Condition to ensure an RN, or MD/NP Assessment was completed.
- The Quality Assurance Performance Improvement Committee will review these audits to ensure compliance.
- If an occurrence with a change of condition is identified during audits, the Director of Nursing will meet with the Nurses to identify the Root Cause of the occurrence and put appropriate measures in place for that specific occurrence to ensure compliance.
- The Quality Assurance Performance Improvement Committee will meet to discuss the event and corrective measures to ensure compliance.
- The Facility Assessment has been updated to include RN Hospital Supervisors as a facility resource. The Facility Assessment has also been updated to reflect the training topic of Identification of patient/resident changes in condition, including how to identify medical issues appropriately, how to determine if symptoms represent problems in need of intervention, how to identify when medical interventions are causing rather than helping relieve suffering and improve quality of life.
Penalty
Resources
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