Delayed X-ray Results Lead to Deficiency in Resident Care
Summary
The facility failed to ensure timely care and treatment for a resident who required an x-ray to rule out a fracture in the left forearm. The x-ray was ordered by a medical doctor on the night of 12/05/2024, but it was not performed until 12/07/2024. The results, which indicated fractures of the midshaft radius and ulna with mild displacement, were finalized on 12/08/2024 but were not communicated to the facility until 12/09/2024. This delay in obtaining and acting upon the x-ray results led to the resident being transferred to the hospital for further evaluation. The facility's policy required that final written reports be submitted within 48 hours, but this was not adhered to. Interviews revealed that the medical doctor did not order a STAT x-ray initially due to the resident not complaining of pain and the swelling being attributed to a possible medical condition. The Director of Nursing and the Medical Director noted that the facility did not receive timely communication from the radiology department, which stated that it was the facility's responsibility to follow up on outpatient results. This lack of timely follow-up and communication contributed to the deficiency in care provided to the resident.
Plan Of Correction
Plan of Correction: Approved January 21, 2025 F 684 483.25 Quality of Care § 483.25 Quality of care I. The Following actions were accomplished for the resident identified in the sample: Immediate action to correct the alleged deficient practice included MD, and family notification of resident #1 x-ray results. On 12/10/24 resident returned to facility with hard cast to the left arm in place. Full body assessment of the resident complete, no additional area of concern noted. Pain assessment completed, pain management implemented, continued monitoring for skin integrity and circulation. The resident was immediately placed on another unit in another pavilion of the facility. Resident #1 was also placed on 1:1 monitoring for safety and observation. Resident was seen by psychiatrist on 12/11/24, physician determined there was “no psychological impact.” Rehabilitation consultation was ordered. Physical and Occupational Therapy consultation was completed on 12/12/24. Resident #1 was seen by orthopedics in the ER with follow-up on 12/14/24. II. The following corrective actions will be implemented to identify other residents who may be affected by the same practice: All residents requiring x-rays have the potential to be affected by the alleged deficient practice. An audit was conducted to ensure all residents with pending x-ray results were obtained and reviewed timely by the physician and timely notification made to resident/family member. A full body assessment was completed on all residents on all floors on 12/12/24 to ensure no other residents have injury, which the facility was not aware of. No other residents were affected by the deficient practice in the facility. Social Services conducted an audit by interviewing alert residents to ascertain whether anyone had witnessed the abuse of other residents or if they have been victims of abuse themselves. No residents have verbalized that they have been abused or observed any abuse of other residents. Risk for Abuse is in place for all residents. The re-education of all staff commenced on 12/10/24 and is ongoing: The following training was provided: 1. Resident Rights 2. Abuse, Neglect & Mistreatment 3. Siderails Monitoring, Bed Entrapment & Restraint 4. Reportable Concerns 5. Pain Management 6. Managing Difficult Residents 7. Resident Safety Quality of Care education commenced on 1/10/25. The following system changes will be implemented to ensure continuing compliance with regulations: On 12/17/24 a medical staff meeting was held, and education was provided to physicians, that effective immediately any suspicion of a fracture or trauma related occurrence, even if low suspicion, order should be made to stat on priority. Physicians are to follow-up on image results in EPIC, if ordered with suspicion of fracture is made. Medical staff meeting was conducted on 1/15/25, physicians were provided with education on residents’ right to be free from physical restraints, reporting of alleged violations and review of the regulations regarding Quality of Care. Education was provided by the medical director and the director of nursing. QAPI Committee meeting was held on 1/10/2025 to review the findings of the compliant survey. Staff Education started on 1/10/25 and is ongoing. Education will be provided during education, annual during mandatory in-service education and as needed. Education will be provided by the staff educator/designee. Nurses were provided with education starting on 12/17/24 that any X-ray orders are to be communicated on the 24-hour report by unit nurse, nurse managers/supervisors. Once the radiology images have been completed, the staff nurse will call the radiology department to obtain results. If the result is not available at the end of the nurses tour it is endorsed to the oncoming shift until results are finalized. Nurses will also check the shared medical records system (EPIC) to obtain posted results. On 1/15/2024, Diagnostic Test Policy and Procedure were reviewed with no changes. The Provision of Radiology Services Policy was reviewed and revised to indicate physicians will check order status in EPIC. IV. The facility’s compliance will be monitored utilizing the following quality assurance system. The facility Director of Nursing and Medical Director Designee will conduct random audit to ensure compliance with the review of x-ray orders and imaging results weekly for 4 weeks then monthly for 3 months and quarterly thereafter. The action plan will be reviewed by the Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) Committee for further review and recommendations for three months. QAPI committee will make recommendations for ongoing monitoring. The Medical Director and Director of Nursing/Designee will be responsible for the implementation of this plan of correction.
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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