Failure to Implement ROM Interventions for Resident with Contractures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement necessary interventions to address range of motion (ROM) for a resident with limited ROM, specifically for a resident with bilateral hand contractures. The resident, who was diagnosed with conditions including Lewy bodies, Parkinson's disease, dementia, and muscle weakness, was observed without the required palm grips or splints on her left hand, which was visibly contracted. The resident's care plan indicated that palm grips should be worn on both hands at all times, except during hygiene activities, to prevent further contracture and maintain ROM. Observations and interviews revealed that the resident was not consistently wearing the prescribed palm grips, as noted during multiple instances when the resident was seen without them. The Occupational Therapist (OT) and Registered Nurse (RN) involved in the resident's care confirmed the absence of the palm grips and acknowledged the resident's ongoing therapy services aimed at improving hand function. The Director of Nursing (DON) also confirmed that the resident should have been wearing the palm grips, indicating a lapse in adherence to the care plan designed to manage the resident's contractures effectively.