Deficiency in Nursing Competency Leads to Resident Harm
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that licensed nurses possessed the necessary skills and competencies to safely care for residents, particularly in the management of urinary catheters. This deficiency was highlighted by the case of a resident who experienced significant complications due to improper catheter management. The resident, who had a history of prostatic hyperplasia and was admitted with a catheter, suffered from a lack of urine output and the presence of clots, which were not adequately monitored or addressed by the nursing staff. On one occasion, an LPN changed the resident's catheter but failed to verify its proper insertion and drainage, leaving the resident with no urine output. Despite receiving an order to monitor the resident and send him to the hospital if the condition persisted, the LPN did not transcribe the order promptly, resulting in a delay in care. The resident eventually became unresponsive and required emergency transfer to a hospital, where he was intubated. The investigation revealed that the nursing staff lacked proper training and competency evaluations for catheter management. The facility's orientation and competency checklists did not include essential skills such as catheter insertion and monitoring for complications. This oversight contributed to the failure to recognize and respond to the resident's deteriorating condition, ultimately placing the resident at risk of significant harm.
Plan Of Correction
1) What corrective action(s) will be accomplished for those residents found to have been affected by the deficient practice: • Resident #1 no longer resides at the facility. • The facility's Staff Development Coordinator completed competencies on the proper insertion of with return demonstrations for staff A, B, C, & D. • The facility's Staff Development Coordinator/Designee completed education on the identification of a change in condition with staff A, B, C, & D. 2) How you will identify other residents having potential to be affected by the same practice and what corrective actions will be taken: • Current residents had an RN assessment completed including a set of vital signs and observation for output and patency. Any changes identified were communicated to the provider and family notification completed. • Current residents with an had an evaluation completed. 3) What measures will be put into place or what systemic changes will you make to ensure that the deficient practice does not recur: Education: • The facility's Staff Development Coordinator/Designee completed education with licensed nurses on the necessary completion of a change in condition evaluation when the following occur: o Accidents resulting in injury, or the potential to require physician intervention. o A significant change in the resident's physical, mental, or condition such as a deterioration in health, mental, or status. o This may include life-threatening conditions, or clinical complications and changes in output including color, consistency, and output. o Circumstances that may require a need to alter treatment. This may include new treatment and/or discontinuation of current treatment due to an acute condition or a worsening of a condition. o A complete nursing evaluation must be conducted and documented in the medical record of systems including but not limited to functional status, evaluation, evaluation, evaluation/evaluation, skin evaluation, evaluation, and vital signs. o The physician/NP shall be made aware of pertinent evaluation findings. • The facility's Staff Development Coordinator/Designee completed education with licensed nurses on vital sign documentation, and on following timely transfer to a higher level of care upon directive from physician. • The facility's Staff Development Coordinator/Designee completed education with licensed nurses on care to include insertion, output, and proper monitoring documentation of output, including documenting this output on the resident's MAR. The licensed nurse must perform a visual observation of the color and clarity of output each shift. • The facility's Staff Development Coordinator/Designee completed education with licensed nurses on the nurses' requirement to notify the provider of any notable changes in resident condition. • The facility's Staff Development Coordinator/Designee completed competencies with CNAs and licensed nurses on the proper obtaining of resident vital signs including temperature, and on a live member of staff. Vital signs obtained for an identified change in condition will be documented in the and vitals tab in PCC. This allows for these vitals to populate accurately in the SBAR/Change in Condition evaluation. • The facility's Staff Development Coordinator/Designee completed competencies with licensed nurses on the proper insertion of with return demonstrations. • The facility added to the orientation agenda that all newly hired licensed nurses will complete competencies on the proper insertion of with return demonstration prior to providing resident care. • The facility's Staff Development Coordinator/Designee completed education with licensed nurses on the requirement of detailed communication during shift to shift report to include any changes in condition, any new physician orders, and review of any new or existing devices including. • The facility's Staff Development Coordinator/Designee completed education with licensed nurses on ensuring new orders for include placement, patency/draining, irrigation, securement device, care Qshift, and to record the output Qshift. • The facility's Staff Development Coordinator/Designee completed competencies with CNAs on emptying and measuring output for residents with. This competency was conducted using a mannequin with an to simulate the actual emptying of the. • The facility's Staff Development Coordinator/Designee completed education with CNAs to ensure that any notable changes in output for residents with and any residents experiencing a change in condition are reported immediately to the nurse. System Change: • The daily clinical meeting form was edited to include: o Review of 24-hour report for change in condition. o The review of vital signs and the timely transfer of all residents that returned to the hospital. o The review of all new admissions and existing residents with to monitor output to ensure orders are in place. o The review of vital signs and the review of the nurse's change of condition evaluation for all residents that had a change in condition. o The review of vital signs for all residents per physician order. o Output was added to the MAR to ensure nursing documentation. • CNAs will be responsible for emptying output for residents with and will report this number to the licensed nurse, who then will be responsible for recording the output value on the MAR three times a day. • Licensed Nurses and CNAs will complete competencies on care at the time of orientation and annually with the facility's Staff Development Coordinator. 4) How will the corrective action(s) be monitored to ensure the deficient practice will not recur: • The facility initiated the completion of audits seven days a week including weekends and off hours on all residents to ensure vital sign orders and the proper documentation of these vital signs. These audits will be monitored by DON/designee and reviewed by the QAPI committee. These audits will be completed weekly x 4 weeks, biweekly x 2 months, then monthly thereafter until substantial compliance is determined by the QAPI committee. • The facility initiated the completion of audits seven days a week including weekends documentation of output for all residents with. These audits will be monitored by DON/designee and reviewed by the QAPI committee. These audits will be completed weekly x 4 weeks, biweekly x 2 months, then monthly thereafter until substantial compliance is determined by the QAPI committee.
Removal Plan
- Educated licensed nurses on completing a Change in Condition Assessment on residents.
- The education included identifying conditions that required an assessment including: Accidents resulting in injury; significant change in the resident's physical or mental condition, deterioration in health, mental or status; life threatening conditions or clinical complications including changes in output including color, consistency and output; circumstances that require an alteration in treatment including acute and conditions.
- A complete nursing evaluation must be conducted and documented in the medical record of systems.
- The nurses were educated to obtain a new set of vital signs and document in the electronic record in that the Change in Condition Assessment would contain the most recent and relevant vital signs.
- The provider shall be notified of pertinent evaluation findings.
- Nurses must visualize amount of output, color and clarity during each shift.
- Educated all remaining licensed nurses prior to working their next scheduled shift.
- Began CNA and licensed nurse competencies on obtaining vital signs.
- Vital signs obtained for a change in condition are to be documented in the electronic record under the and vitals tab, so they populate in the change in condition assessment.
- Completed audits including weekends and off hours to ensure the proper documentation of vital signs for all residents.
- Initiated the completion of audits 7 days a week and off hours to include output for all residents.
- Edited the daily clinical meeting form to include review of the 24-hour report for change in condition; vital signs and timely transfer to a higher level if necessary: for new and existing residents to ensure orders to monitor output were in place; review of the nurses' Change in condition Assessment to include current vital signs during the change, and review of the vital signs for all residents per the physician's orders.
- The RN assessed all residents currently at the facility for vital signs and output if indicated. Any changes were communicated to the provider and family.
- Began competencies on the proper insertion of licensed nurses. The remaining licensed nurses would complete the competency prior to working their next scheduled shift.
- Added to the orientation agenda for newly hired licensed nurses. They will complete competency on the proper insertion of with return demonstration prior to resident care.
- Began education with licensed nurses on the requirement of detailed communication during shift-to-shift report to include any changes in condition, new orders, and review any existing devices.
- The education was also added to the orientation for all newly hired nurses.
- Began educating nurses on ensuring new orders for will include placement, patency/draining, irrigation, securement, care every shift and recording of output on the MAR.
- Verified through observation and interview, nurses were educated prior to working their next shift.
- Verified through interview with the DON and review of audits completed, interviews with CNAs, nurses and review of random residents records to ensure proper nursing care and services for residents with and those experiencing changes in condition.
- An ad hoc QAPI (Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement) meeting was held, and a root cause analysis of the incident was done. Attendees of the QAPI included the Medical Director, Director of Nursing, Administrator, Human Resources, Social Service, Activities Director, Minimum Data Set nurse, Nurse, CNA.
Penalty
Resources
Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:
LPNs Assigned Wound Care Without Competency Assessment: Several LPNs were assigned wound care duties for residents even though the facility had not assessed their competencies or provided wound care training. The LPNs stated they had limited or no wound care education or certifications, and some said they did not feel comfortable performing wound care. Leadership confirmed wound care responsibilities had been shifted to floor nurses and that no competency evaluations or training had been provided.
Licensed nursing staff did not have competencies completed on hire, and the facility did not ensure staff had the skills needed to carry out resident care and monitor changes in condition. One resident’s positive urine culture was not reported to the NP for days, and another resident did not receive ordered BID BG checks; abnormal lab results and a recommendation for IV fluids were documented, but no follow-up was found in the record. The facility assessment listed competency areas such as change in condition and BG testing, and the Regional RN confirmed new-hire competencies were not being completed.
Lack of Mechanical Lift Competency for Direct Care Staff: A resident sustained a witnessed fall from a Hoyer lift during a transfer by two staff members and was later noted to have pain in the RUE and bilateral hips, with a head strike also documented. Review of staff files showed one LNA had no documented mechanical lift training or competency, and a Support Aide who sometimes helped with Hoyer transfers reported she had not received facility training on transfers or lift use.
An LVN failed to follow a resident's oxycodone order by administering the medication when documented pain scores were below the ordered parameter. The LVN could not explain medication parameters or what to do when a resident was outside the parameter, and the DON stated that medication parameters are used for resident safety and that not following them can cause complications, medication toxicity, and ineffective treatment.
Missing Staff Orientation, Competency, and Performance Documentation: The facility failed to ensure required orientation, annual competency skill assessments, and annual performance evaluations were completed for multiple staff members. Record review found an LPN with an expired CPR card, an RN with no CPR card or orientation checklist after rehire, and several CNAs with missing skills checklists, orientation forms, or annual performance reviews; HR staff said records were not kept up and were not filed properly.
Failure to In-Service CNA on Merry Walker Safety for High-Fall-Risk Resident: A resident with severely impaired cognition, dementia, multiple prior falls, and a care plan for a helmet, Merry walker, and 1:1 sitter fell while ambulating with the device after abruptly standing and losing balance. CNA 1 stated she had not received in-service training or a report on the resident's risks or the safe use of the walker, and the resident sustained a nasal fracture and forehead laceration requiring transfer to a GACH.
LPNs Assigned Wound Care Without Competency Assessment
Penalty
Summary
Nursing staff were assigned to provide wound care to residents without having their competencies assessed or receiving wound care training. During interviews, S10LPN stated he was providing wound care to assigned residents, but the facility had not assessed his competencies or provided training before assigning him wound care responsibilities. S8LPN stated she was a recent graduate with limited clinical experience, had no certifications or educational background in wound care management, did not feel comfortable providing wound care without proper education and training, and had not been assessed or trained before being assigned wound care duties. S7LPN and S9LPN also stated they were providing wound care to assigned residents despite having no certifications or educational background in wound care management, and both said the facility had not assessed their competencies or provided training before assigning them wound care tasks. S9LPN stated she did not feel comfortable providing wound care because of her lack of education and training in wound management procedures and protocols. S5IPSDC confirmed wound care responsibilities had recently been assigned to floor nurses after the wound care nurse position was eliminated, and S2IDON confirmed nursing staff were not provided education or training in wound care management and that the facility had no competency assessments or evaluations for S7LPN, S8LPN, S9LPN, and S10LPN to provide wound care.
Nursing Competency and Communication Failures
Penalty
Summary
Licensed nursing staff did not complete competencies on hire and did not demonstrate the skill sets needed to care for residents based on assessed needs. The facility assessment listed training and competencies for the nursing department, including monthly education, orientation and training for new hires, and competency skill sets such as identifying resident change in condition and diabetic blood glucose testing. Review of employee files showed RN #507 and LPN #518 did not have nursing competencies completed on hire, and the Regional RN confirmed the facility had not been ensuring all licensed nursing staff had nursing competencies on hire. For one resident with diagnoses including atherosclerotic heart disease, gastroenteritis and colitis, muscle weakness, a stage 3 sacral pressure ulcer, peptic ulcer, malnutrition, bradycardia, hypotension, and intestinal bypass status, a urine culture positive for infection was reported to the facility but was not communicated to the NP until 13 days later. The resident was later hospitalized and treated for bradycardia, unresponsiveness, and IV antibiotics for a UTI caused by ESBL Klebsiella pneumoniae and E. coli. For another resident with hemiplegia and hemiparesis following cerebral infarction, CHF, hypothyroidism, and a history of GI bleed, an order required blood glucose checks twice daily, but the MAR showed only one check on one day. A dietary technician documented abnormal BUN, creatinine, and GFR results and recommended review for IV fluids and change in condition, but progress notes showed no follow-up on that recommendation, and both an LPN and NP stated they were not aware of the IV fluid recommendation.
Lack of Mechanical Lift Competency for Direct Care Staff
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that direct care staff had the specific competencies and skill sets necessary to meet residents’ needs related to the use of a mechanical lift. A fall investigation showed that a resident sustained a witnessed fall from a mechanical lift during a transfer from a chair to a bed by two staff members. A provider progress note documented that the resident was being evaluated after the fall from a Hoyer lift and reported pain in the right upper extremity and bilateral hips, with a head strike also noted. The facility assessment, last updated 11/11/25, identified that residents required services including transfer assistance with a mechanical Hoyer lift and stated that staff would be trained and evaluated for competencies related to lift assistance. Review of four LNA training files showed that one LNA lacked documented training or competency for operating a mechanical Hoyer lift. An interview with a Support Aide revealed that she occasionally assisted LNAs with Hoyer lift transfers but had not received facility training on how to transfer or assist in transferring a resident. The facility Educator stated that the Support Aide’s role did not include transferring residents or assisting with transfers, especially with a mechanical lift, and confirmed that all direct care staff were required to complete specific training and annual competency assessment to operate a mechanical lift; she also confirmed that the LNA had no evidence of completing the mechanical lift competencies.
Nursing Staff Failed to Follow Oxycodone Medication Parameters
Penalty
Summary
LVN 1 failed to follow Resident 1's physician order for oxycodone 5 mg by mouth every three hours as needed for severe pain. Resident 1 was admitted with cervical spinal stenosis and diabetes mellitus, and the H&P dated 5/12/2026 described the resident as alert and oriented x4. The MDS dated 5/14/2026 indicated the resident's cognitive skills for daily decision making were intact and that the resident was independent with all activities of daily living. The MAR showed oxycodone was administered on 5/11/2026, 5/12/2026, 5/13/2026, and 5/23/2026 even though the recorded pain scores were 4, 4, 2, and 4, respectively. During interview and observation, LVN 1 stated a medication parameter was used for medication ranges and guidance on when to give certain medications, but was unable to explain the medication administration process when a medication had parameters or what to do if a resident was not within the parameter. LVN 1 stated the pain scale for oxycodone was 5-10, yet also stated oxycodone was given because the resident and family requested it and that giving it for pain scores of 2 and 4 was following doctor orders. The DON stated medication parameters were used for resident safety and that not following them could cause complications, medication toxicity, and the medication would not help for the medication purpose and resident's diagnosis. The facility's competency policy stated nursing staff competency includes areas such as communication, medication management, and pain management.
Missing Staff Orientation, Competency, and Performance Documentation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that orientation, annual competency skill assessments, and annual performance evaluations were completed for 3 of 3 licensed staff and 5 of 5 unlicensed staff reviewed. During record review and interview, Human Resource staff K stated she had only been at the facility for 1 month and that records were not kept up, were moved around, and were not filed in alphabetical order. The facility’s policy stated that competency evaluation is required for all care team members, that initial competency is evaluated during orientation, and that ongoing and annual competency evaluations occur based on training program evaluation, job performance evaluations, identified performance gaps, or regulatory requirements. Record review showed missing or incomplete documentation for multiple staff members. An LPN had an expired CPR card, another LPN had a skills validation checklist but no annual performance records, and an RN had no CPR card and no orientation skills checklist from the rehire date. Among CNAs, one had no skills checklist or orientation form, one had a skills assessment checklist but no annual performance review, one had a background check for the assisted living side of the building that was not rechecked for LTC/skilled care and no 2026 skills checklist or annual performance review, one had no orientation skills checklist, and one had a skills validation checklist but none for 2026 and no annual performance review. When asked whether any additional documents were available, staff K stated she would have to ask the DON, and the surveyor would only accept documents until the end of the survey exit conference.
Failure to In-Service CNA on Merry Walker Safety for High-Fall-Risk Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure CNA 1 was in-serviced and given clear instruction on the protocols for mitigating physical and environmental hazards, including falls, for a resident who had a history of falls and was using a Merry walker for ambulation. Resident 1 had diagnoses including encephalopathy, protein calorie malnutrition, dementia, muscle weakness, disorder of bone density and structure, a prior fracture of the fifth metacarpal of the left hand, Alzheimer's disease, anxiety disorder, depression, hypertension, and adult failure to thrive. The resident's MDS dated 5/15/2026 indicated severely impaired cognition and need for varying levels of assistance with activities of daily living, including supervision for upper body dressing, partial moderate assistance with toileting hygiene, showering, bathing, and personal hygiene, substantial/maximal assistance with lower body dressing, and dependence for putting on and taking off footwear. The resident's record showed 12 separate falls in the facility, and the care plan identified unavoidable fall risk related to gait and balance problems, dementia, and non-compliance using a walker, with interventions including a helmet during ambulation, a Merri walker for ambulation, and a 1:1 sitter. On 6/12/2026, CNA 1 was assigned to monitor and supervise the resident while ambulating with the Merry walker. CNA 1 stated the resident stopped to rest, sat on the walker seat for about 2 minutes, then abruptly stood, held the front of the walker, and started walking; the resident lost balance and fell face forward. CNA 1 stated she had worked at the facility for 1 month and had not received in-services on the risks and hazards associated with a resident using a Merry walker, and she was not provided a report explaining why the resident was using the device or what behaviors and risks to watch for. The resident sustained a nasal fracture and a laceration to the forehead and was transferred to a GACH for further evaluation and management.
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