Failure to Administer Medications and Respond to Change in Condition
Summary
The facility failed to promptly identify and intervene with a significant change in a resident's condition, leading to a deficiency in providing treatment and care according to professional standards of practice. A resident, identified as R3, was admitted with a post-surgical infection of the intrathecal pain pump and was prescribed a two-week course of intravenous antibiotic therapy via a PICC line. However, the resident missed several doses of the prescribed antibiotics, both intravenous and oral, due to the facility's failure to administer them as ordered. This lapse in medication administration contributed to the resident's deteriorating condition. On a particular morning, a registered nurse observed a significant change in R3's mental status but failed to conduct a thorough assessment or notify the physician. During the shift change, this information was communicated to an LPN, who also did not assess the resident or notify the physician. It was not until the resident's family alerted the staff later that morning that the resident was found to be febrile, unresponsive, and exhibiting tremors. The family requested an emergency transfer to the hospital, where the resident was admitted with life-threatening conditions, including sepsis and atrial fibrillation. The facility's policy required that residents receive care in accordance with professional standards, including timely medication administration and appropriate response to changes in condition. However, the facility failed to adhere to these standards, as evidenced by the lack of documented assessments and the missed doses of antibiotics. The failure to follow established policies and procedures resulted in the resident's hospitalization and critical care admission, highlighting a significant deficiency in the facility's quality of care.
Removal Plan
- An Ad Hoc QAPI meeting was held with DON, Medical Director and ED to discuss quality of care related to Medication Administration, Baseline Care Plans, and Notification of Changes in Resident Condition for Medical Director input.
- Notification of Changes Policy, the Baseline Care Plan Policy and the Medication Administration Policy were reviewed immediately for accuracy by the Director of Clinical Risk Management.
- The Executive Director, Corporate Clinical Team and DON discussed the Notification of Changes in Condition, Medication Administration, and Baseline Care Plan policies and the plan for abatement.
- The Executive Director, Corporate Clinical Team and DON discussed the Provision of Quality Care policy.
- The Director of Clinical Risk Management educated the DON, Nurse Managers and ED regarding Baseline Care Plans, Medication Administration and Notification of Changes in Resident Condition and Provision of Quality Care policies.
- The DON/Nurse Managers provided education for all nurses and KMAs regarding Notification of Changes, Baseline Care Plan, and Medication Administration policies and provisions of the Quality of Care policy prior to their next shift. Agency nurses received education prior to their shift by DON/Nurse Managers. 100% completion of active staff, 1 nurse on leave will be educated by the DON/Nurse Manager prior to returning to work.
- Going forward all newly hired nurses and all agency staff will be educated by the DON/Nurse Managers on the Notification of Changes, Baseline Care Plan, Medication Administration, Provision of Quality Care policies and the Nurse Clinical Binder.
- DON/Nurse Managers completed an audit of all progress notes for changes in condition of identified residents and proper notification of MD and Responsible Party as appropriate.
- STNAs, Housekeepers and Dining staff received information via text regarding: if they notice a change in a residents' condition that they should report it to the nurse immediately.
- Director of Clinical Risk Management/DON audited all missed meds for identified residents using the Medication Administration Audit Report.
- DON notified the Medical Director of results of the Medication Admin Audit report and asked for any new orders. No new orders given. DON notified responsible parties of any current affected residents.
- The Director of Clinical Reimbursement and MDS nurse audited baseline care plans for admissions for completion and accuracy. If incomplete or inaccurate, comprehensive care plans have been completed by the Director of Clinical Reimbursement/MOS nurse.
- In morning clinical meeting- DON/Nurse Managers review 24 hour report sheet and 24 hour summary report in PCC daily for appropriate notification of changes in resident condition. The DON reported results of the audit to the QAPI committee and will continue to report audit results to QAPI weekly for 4 weeks then every other week until substantial compliance is achieved.
- The Medication Admin Audit Report in PCC is completed daily by DON/Nurse Managers. Missed medications will be reported to the MD and responsible party immediately as per policy by the DON/Nurse Manager. Report audit results to QAPI weekly for 4 weeks then every other week until substantial compliance is achieved.
- Nurse Managers provide daily 1:1 Nurse/KMA coaching to ensure medication administration per MD orders and following the nursing process to assure quality care.
- Audit of baseline care plans will be by the DON/Nurse Managers daily with immediate follow up. 100% compliance has been achieved to date. DON reported results to QAPI committee and will continue to report audit results to QAPI weekly for 4 weeks then every other week until substantial compliance is achieved.
- QAPI meeting was attended by Medical Director, Nurse Practitioner, ED, DON, Diet Tech, Nurse Manager, IP Nurse, Social Worker designee, Director of Facilities, Business Office Manager, MOS nurse, Director of Therapy and Life Enrichment Director. IJ abatement plan audits, results, and follow up were discussed.
- Next QAPI meeting scheduled.
Penalty
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