Failure to Assess and Document Resident Fall Leads to Delayed Treatment
Summary
The facility failed to provide appropriate treatment and care according to professional standards of practice when a resident experienced a fall in their room. The nursing staff did not recognize, assess, intervene, or document the resident's condition following the fall, which led to a delay in treatment. The incident involved a resident who was unable to verbally communicate effectively and had a history of behaviors such as yelling out and resisting care. The resident was at high risk for falls and required substantial assistance for daily activities. On the day of the incident, the resident fell from their bed, but the nurse on duty did not assess the resident or document the fall. The incident was not reported to the resident's physician or the director of nursing. It was only after several days that the resident was found to have a displaced femoral neck fracture, which required surgical intervention. The lack of immediate assessment and documentation resulted in a delay in identifying and treating the injury. Interviews with staff revealed that the fall was initially unreported and undocumented. The CNA who witnessed the fall did not observe any immediate injuries or complaints of pain from the resident. However, the nurse who was informed of the fall did not recall being notified or assessing the resident. This oversight and failure to follow protocol contributed to the delay in addressing the resident's injury, which was later identified through an x-ray.
Removal Plan
- Weekly body audits reviewed to determine if there were any unknown injuries or significant findings. Body audits will continue until full facility body audits are completed. Statewide Incident Management System (SIMS) report opened.
- Staff education initiated: Abuse and neglect, staff rounding requirements: CNA even hours/nurses odd hours, ensure staff using proper transfer techniques, report changes in condition, change in behavior, change in skin condition to the nurse in a timely manner and any issues identified with a resident should be assessed immediately and addressed in a timely manner.
- Investigation continues regarding resident #1's injury of unknown origin, and full facility body audits continued.
- Video footage was reviewed by S1Administrator and S2DON. The video footage supported S4 CNA's statement. S3LPN was witnessed entering the resident's room after being notified of the incident. There were no issues identified with review of the footage and routine care rounds were being provided.
- S3LPN was suspended pending investigation.
- Incidents and accidents for resident #1's hall reviewed, no injuries of unknown origin noted; no additional incidents/accidents were noted.
- QA started on reviewing nurse's notes and 24-hr report to ensure that incidents/accidents are reported, processed, and completed. QA will be done 5x a week x 8 weeks then 3x a week x 4 weeks then as needed.
- Residents that resided on resident #1's hall were assessed to identify any potential significant changes, any recent hospitalizations, or other abnormal findings and there were no concerns noted.
- Staff members who worked with resident #1 through the weekend were re-interviewed in order to gain more details regarding his care, complaints, and activity level. No signs or report of distress or pain was noted. Resident appeared to continue normal activities, including being out of bed, in day room watching television, interacting with others and meal intake was normal.
- Safety measures were assessed and found to be functioning properly. Included in these were the following: Resident #1's call light was activated, the light lit up in the hall and at the switchboard (the clerk at the desk and nurse in the room could clearly hear each other speaking). Wedge cushion was in place and properly fit the resident's wheelchair. Assist bar was properly attached to resident #1's bed and raised/lowered correctly. Functions of the bed were checked. The head and foot of the bed raised and lowered properly. The bed raised and lowered also with no issues. The mattress fit was checked and was correct. There was no physical damage noted to the exterior of the mattress (no rips, tears or sunken spots).
- Resident #1's incidents were reviewed for the last six months and all prior interventions were assessed and found to be in place.
- Staff in-service for CNAs: Reporting any incident or accidents that occur with a resident. If unsure if something is new or if you should report, always report to the nurse or supervisor. If you feel like an additional assessment may need to be done then report to a management nurse.
- Staff in-service for nurses: An incident report should be done for any of the following (bruises, skin tears, falls, unintentional change in plane, setting a resident in the floor from getting weak, sliding out of bed or wheelchair, etc). Physician, responsible party, and DON should all be made aware. Proper documentation should be done and include any new orders or treatment. If any immediate actions should be put into place, then make sure those are done (increase supervision, increase monitoring, etc.).
- Staff in-service: Abuse & Neglect, reporting any change in condition or change in status to nurse/nurses station.
- QA initiated to ensure nurse competency and return demonstration for incident/accident reporting and completion of appropriate documentation.
- Resident #1 returned to the facility with orders for non-weight bearing status and hip rehab exercises. He is a two person assist with lift transfer. Nursing assessment completed.
- As an immediate protective action, S6CNA sat near the resident's door providing additional supervision due to him having had a fall and behaviors.
Penalty
Resources
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