F0684 F684: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
K

Delayed Response to Resident's Change in Condition

Deerbrook Skilled Nursing And Rehab CenterHumble, Texas Survey Completed on 02-14-2025

Summary

The facility failed to provide timely treatment and care to a resident who experienced a sudden change in condition, including mental status and neurological deficits. The resident, who had a history of severe cognitive impairment and atrial fibrillation, showed signs of altered mental status and difficulty swallowing on the day of the incident. Despite these symptoms, the resident was not transported to the emergency room until approximately four hours after the initial change in condition was noted. Interviews with staff revealed that there was a lack of urgency in responding to the resident's condition. Nurse B, who was responsible for the resident at the time, did not suspect a stroke and opted for regular transport instead of calling 911, despite the resident's altered mental status and non-verbal behavior. The nurse communicated with the transportation company and was informed of a delay, but did not take further action to expedite the resident's transfer to the hospital. The Director of Nursing and other staff members were not adequately informed or involved in monitoring the resident's condition during the delay. The facility's policy on changes in a resident's condition did not clearly differentiate between situations requiring emergency versus regular transport, contributing to the delay in care. The resident was eventually transported to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with a suspected stroke and later passed away.

Removal Plan

  • Resident CR#1 involved in alleged deficient practice was discharged to the hospital.
  • Administrator notified the Medical Director of the alleged deficient practice.
  • Nurse Managers completed a 100% assessment of all residents residing in the facility for changes in condition, and none were identified.
  • LVN B was in-serviced on Recognizing a Change in Condition & Monitoring While Awaiting Transport to the emergency room.
  • The facility audited the change in conditions for the last 3 days for altered mental status concerns, monitoring of residents, and notification to the physician, no concerns were identified.
  • LVN C was in-serviced on Recognizing a Change in Condition & Monitoring While Awaiting Transport to the emergency room.
  • The Corporate Clinical Service Director reviewed facility policy regarding change in condition and no revisions were deemed necessary.
  • An in-service was completed by the Corporate Clinical Service Director with the Director of Nursing on residents with changes in condition must be monitored closely to ensure that documentation reflects the completion of required assessments, physician notification, on-going documented monitoring of resident status, and transported to the hospital in a timely manner based on resident assessment and physician recommendation.
  • The Director of Nursing completed an in-service with the licensed nursing staff on residents with changes in condition must be monitored closely to ensure that documentation reflects the completion of required assessments, physician notification, on-going documented monitoring of resident status, and transported to the hospital in a timely manner based on resident assessment and physician recommendation. Licensed nurses will not be allowed to return to work until they receive this in-service.
  • Newly hired nurses will be in-serviced by the Director of Nursing or designee on changes in condition must be monitored closely to ensure that documentation reflects the completion of required assessments, physician notification, on-going documented monitoring of resident status, and transported to the hospital in a timely manner based on resident assessment and physician recommendation.
  • The Director of Nursing or designee completed an in-service with the licensed nursing on when to send a resident to the hospital when there is a change in condition that cannot be managed in the facility. Licensed nurses will not be allowed to return to work until they receive this in-service.
  • Use non-emergency transport for stable residents requiring evaluation or treatment for non-urgent conditions, such as worsening chronic symptoms or mild infections.
  • Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies or rapidly deteriorating conditions, such as chest pain, severe respiratory distress, unresponsiveness, or suspected trauma. Always assess vital signs, consult facility protocols or providers as needed, and document the decision-making process thoroughly to ensure appropriate and timely care.
  • CNA's received in-services on Changes in Condition and Their Signs and Symptoms/Who to Notify When a Change in Condition is Observed. CNAs will not be able to work until they have completed this in-service.
  • Newly hired CNA's will be in-serviced by the Director of Nursing or designee on Changes in Condition and Their Signs and Symptoms/Who to Notify When a Change in Condition is Observed.
  • The 24-hour report will be reviewed daily by the Director of Nursing or designee to audit nurse documentation in progress notes of change in conditions and the documentation reflects the completion of required assessments, physician notification, on-going documented monitoring of resident status, and transported to the hospital in a timely manner based on resident assessment and physician recommendation. Discrepancies noted during reviews will be immediately corrected by contacting the attending physician of the change of condition and completing documentation in the patient's progress note.

Penalty

Fine: $48,160
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The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.

Resources

Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:

See other F0684 citations
Failure to Follow Physician Orders for Insulin, Weight Monitoring, and Lab Tests
D
F0684 F684: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Short Summary

Surveyors found that staff did not follow multiple physician orders for three residents. A resident with diabetes received ordered insulin even when blood glucose readings were below the ordered hold parameter. Another resident with cerebral palsy, DM, and heart failure had repeated significant overnight weight gains without evidence that the physician was notified as ordered. A third resident with anemia and CKD had ordered CBC and CMP lab tests that were not documented as completed. The DON confirmed there was no documentation that these physician orders were carried out.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Implement Ordered Bowel Protocol for Constipation Management
D
F0684 F684: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Short Summary

A resident with multiple medical conditions, including respiratory disorders and diabetes, had physician orders for scheduled laxatives and a three-step PRN bowel protocol to be used when no bowel movement occurred within specified timeframes. Over a four-day period without a documented BM, the MAR showed that none of the ordered bowel protocol steps were administered, and there was no documentation of bowel care on one of those days. Facility records also lacked any notes of medication refusal or staff education regarding bowel care, and leadership confirmed the absence of documentation and implementation of the ordered bowel protocol.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Reevaluate Blood Glucose After Treatment for Hyperglycemia
D
F0684 F684: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Short Summary

A resident with Alzheimer's disease and type II DM, who required extensive assistance with ADLs and was receiving scheduled Lantus and sliding-scale Humalog, experienced a severely elevated blood glucose level. The on-call provider was notified and ordered an additional dose of lispro insulin with a directive to recheck the blood glucose after administration. Nursing staff administered the extra insulin but did not document any follow-up blood glucose check, and the DON confirmed that this reevaluation was required by the facility's abnormal blood glucose policy and was not completed or documented.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Assess and Notify Providers for Abnormal Blood Glucose Levels
K
F0684 F684: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Short Summary

The facility failed to follow professional standards and physician orders for multiple diabetic residents by not consistently assessing and responding to abnormal capillary blood glucose (CBG) results. Several residents with diabetes and comorbid conditions such as CKD, CHF, CAD, COPD, dementia, ESRD, and heart failure had repeated CBG readings in both hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic ranges, including values below 70 mg/dl and above 400 mg/dl, without documented provider notification, rechecks, or clinical assessment. Some insulin and CBG monitoring orders lacked clear parameters for provider notification, and in at least one case a resident left on a leave of absence after a markedly elevated CBG without reevaluation. Although LPNs described appropriate protocols for managing low and high blood sugars during interviews, the documentation in the medical records did not show that these steps were consistently implemented or recorded, leading to an immediate jeopardy finding related to quality of care.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Assess and Respond to Post‑Fall Hip Pain and Mobility Decline
G
F0684 F684: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Short Summary

A resident with dementia, osteoporosis, and prior femur fracture experienced an unwitnessed fall and subsequently developed severe hip pain and decreased ability to ambulate and transfer. Nursing staff failed to document the fall on the day it occurred, did not complete comprehensive lower‑extremity or mobility assessments, and repeatedly charted pain scores of 0 despite the resident’s complaints and nurse aide reports of significant pain with movement and increased assistance needs. An NP evaluated the resident for hip pain but was not informed of the fall, did not assess the hips or legs, and treated the pain as baseline neuropathic discomfort. Over several days, PRN acetaminophen was given intermittently without consistent pain scoring, multiple shifts lacked progress notes or assessments, and aides assumed nurses were aware of the resident’s worsening pain and functional decline. Bilateral hip x‑rays were eventually ordered after internal communication about hip pain, and the report later showed an acute displaced femoral neck fracture, after which the resident was sent to the hospital and underwent a left hip hemiarthroplasty.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Assess, Notify, and Monitor Resident After Facial Trauma
D
F0684 F684: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Short Summary

A resident with Parkinson’s disease, osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis reported being punched in the face by another resident, resulting in facial bruising. The resident’s MDS showed intact cognition, and a change in condition evaluation documented the assault; however, the MD was not notified until more than a day later. The care plan directed licensed nurses to assess the resident’s body, and staff observed a purplish bruise on the right lower eyelid/orbital area, but this was not documented in the progress notes. Required every-shift monitoring for 72 hours after the change in condition was not documented on multiple day shifts. The DON confirmed lack of awareness of the bruise and acknowledged missing documentation and monitoring, despite facility policies requiring immediate provider notification and complete, accurate charting of changes in condition.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.

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