Failure to Follow Care Plans Results in Resident Injuries
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that two residents received care in accordance with their comprehensive person-centered care plans, which required two staff members to assist with all activities of daily living. In the first instance, a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) provided care to a resident singlehandedly, despite the care plan indicating a need for two-person assistance. This resident, who was completely dependent on others for all activities of daily living and unable to communicate needs, suffered a left mid diaphysis femur fracture after being changed by the CNA without assistance. The CNA did not check the Kardex prior to providing care and was unaware that the resident required two-person assistance for all activities, not just transfers and showers. In the second instance, another CNA changed a different resident's diaper alone, even though the care plan and Kardex specified a two-person assist. This resident was also severely cognitively impaired and completely dependent on others for all activities of daily living. The CNA stated that they often changed the resident alone due to the nurse being busy and did not check the Kardex. The resident later exhibited a swollen leg and a noticeable change in leg alignment, leading to a diagnosis of a right comminuted mid shaft femur fracture. Both incidents highlight a failure to adhere to the facility's Safe Resident Handling policy, which mandates that the number of staff needed for care is indicated in the care plan and Kardex. The CNAs involved did not verify the care requirements before providing care, resulting in significant injuries to the residents. The facility's internal investigations confirmed these lapses in following the care plans, which contributed to the residents' injuries.
Plan Of Correction
Plan of Correction: Approved March 19, 2025 **NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** 1) Immediate actions for investigation regarding resident #2 included resident assessment by Nurse Practitioner, statement collection from indicated staff, review of medical record, review of Central Monitor pulse oximetry-heart rate data and review of video surveillance. Corrective actions included review of all policies and procedures pertaining to safe positioning and handling, ADL care as well as Osteopenia. Re-evaluation of resident’s care plans by Rehabilitation Services including transfer and ADL care. Comprehensive Plan of Care reviewed and updated on return form ACF and reviewed with caregivers. Review found that resident was identified, and care planned for- at risk for fracture related to immobility and complexity of [DIAGNOSES REDACTED]. #6 was suspended from duty pending investigation with subsequent disciplinary action and remediation for non-compliance with 2-person assist. The resident’s mother was notified and further updated by DNS and Administrator regarding the occurrence, investigative conclusions and updates to plan of care. Immediate corrective actions for investigation regarding resident #3 addressed both non-compliance with 2 person assist, as well as safe positioning for urinary catheterization for contracted residents. Immediate remediation with disciplinary action for CNA #7. Rounds on all units to confirm placement of picture signage with the emoji (not words) of a hand holding up 2 fingers indicating 2-person assist. This emoji is referred to as “I Take 2.” Mandatory acknowledgement for Nursing staff in employee portal of ‘Safe Handling Advisory.’ Corrective action include- Review of all policies and procedures pertaining to safe positioning and handling as well as Osteopenia. Review and updates to Policy and Procedure for Urinary Catheters with additional requirement of alternate positioning needs for procedure to be specified in the plan of care and require a medical order. Re-evaluation of resident by Rehabilitation Services on return from ACF for review of Plan of Care, including positioning for catheterization, transfer and ADL care. Inservices were conducted with nursing staff on these updates to resident #3 plan of care. Parents were notified and updated by DNS and Administrator, they verbalized understanding of resident [MEDICAL CONDITION] diagnosis, active treatment with infusion therapy already in place and continued risk for fracture. They expressed appreciation for the detailed report including updates to ADL care and catheterization. 2) As a corrective action following investigation for resident #2, the policy and procedure for ADL care was revised. As an added safety intervention, ALL residents greater than 35lbs and fully dependent in ADL performance will be two-person assist for all ADL care that requires moving. Review of all 122 residents indicates that 81 residents require 2-person assist. Revision of CNA assignments on all shifts to identify teams for ADL care to facilitate consistent compliance with 2-person assist. Mandatory training with competency assessment for all Nurses and CNAs to include updates to policy and implementation of team assignments. All residents admitted to Sunshine are care planned on admission for risk for Osteopenia and fracture due to the complex medical diagnoses, decreased mobility and non-ambulatory status. Mandatory review inservice was conducted including competency with all Nursing Staff on Osteopenia and Risk for Fracture and Safe Positioning and Handling. Training included use/navigation of resident Kardex to identify resident needs, working together CNA with CNA or NURSE-CNA to ensure safety. In addition, in order to identify others at risk, related to this occurrence for resident #3, a re-evaluation of all Sunshine residents requiring intermittent catheterization was conducted with the Rehab team for need for alternate positioning needs for this procedure. 3) Two-person assist compliance audits were initiated and completed by Nurse Managers and off shift Supervisors. Audits will be continued monthly on all shifts, for a period of 12 months. 4) Monthly audit results and chart reviews will be reported in writing, at least quarterly, to the Administrator and Quality Committee, their findings and corrective actions for a period of not less than 12 months, with ensuing frequency as determined by the Quality Committee. 5) Initiated 10/20/2024 by the Director of Nursing.
Penalty
Resources
Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:
A resident with insulin-dependent type 2 DM and mild cognitive impairment had a rapid BG drop after receiving sliding scale insulin. The resident reported fear of overnight hypoglycemia and requested BG checks every 2 hours, but the record did not show overnight monitoring, reassessment, or follow-up. Staff later stated the night nurse was notified, while the resident said BG was not checked again until breakfast.
Failure to provide ordered wound care and aspiration precautions: A resident returned from a dermatology procedure with biopsy-site dressings and the chart lacked documentation of assessment or wound care, while the dressings remained in place and undated during observations. The same resident also had dysphagia with a FEES showing silent penetration with straw sips and an order for no straws, yet was observed drinking water from a cup with a straw; the SLP and DON confirmed the no-straw precaution and expectation to follow physician orders.
Failure to Monitor Ordered Vital Signs: A resident with COPD, chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia, and CHF had a provider order for daily vital signs, but the MAR showed an O2 sat of 87% with no follow-up vitals documented and another day with no vitals documented at all. Nursing notes did not show follow-up monitoring or documentation of the low O2 reading, and the CNO stated vitals were recorded on the night shift but not entered into the record or explained when the day-shift vitals were not completed as ordered.
Medication Administered Despite Hold Parameters: A resident with HTN and hyperlipidemia had an order for midodrine with BP hold parameters, but licensed nurses administered the medication multiple times even when the resident's BP met or exceeded the ordered limits. MAR review showed doses were given despite systolic and/or diastolic readings at or above the hold threshold, and the NHA acknowledged the medication was administered contrary to the physician's parameters.
Failure to assess and report abnormal blood glucose and document change in condition: The facility did not notify the MD of abnormal CBG results or assess for hypo/hyperglycemia for two residents with DM who had insulin orders and abnormal readings, including low and high values. The record also showed inaccurate documentation for another resident with a bruise of unknown origin that was monitored briefly and then no longer documented.
A facility failed to notify the provider about a resident’s weight changes per physician order. The resident had CAD, HF, HTN, and dementia, and the record showed weight fluctuations of 4 lbs and 5 lbs, but there was no evidence the provider was updated. The DON confirmed the provider was never notified and stated the provider should have been informed per the order.
Failure to Monitor Blood Glucose After Rapid Drop
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide the care and services needed to safely manage diabetes for one resident with insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes and mild cognitive impairment. The resident’s care plan directed staff to monitor for signs and symptoms of high and low blood sugar, check blood glucose as ordered, administer scheduled and sliding scale insulin as ordered, encourage bedtime diabetic snacks, and provide ongoing diabetic foot care. On 7/15/26 at 12:25 a.m., the resident had a blood glucose of 330 before dinner and received 4 units of sliding scale insulin as ordered. The resident expressed concern about receiving the full insulin dose because of fear that blood sugar would drop during the night. About one hour later, the resident’s blood glucose decreased to 97. Staff gave 15 grams of carbohydrates and one glass of juice, and the blood glucose increased to 160. The resident then requested blood glucose checks every two hours during the night because of fear that blood sugar would fall below 50, and the nurse documented that the night nurse was notified. However, the medical record did not identify blood glucose monitoring, reassessment, or follow-up during the night. During interviews, the resident stated staff did not check blood sugar until breakfast the next morning and said, "They don't like checking it." Staff and the DON stated residents’ concerns should be documented and reassurance provided when blood sugar concerns were expressed.
Failure to Provide Ordered Wound Care and Aspiration Precautions
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide timely post-procedure wound care for a resident who returned from a dermatology visit after a skin growth evaluation and treatment. The resident came back with dressings covering biopsy sites on the head and face, and the dermatology visit summary instructed staff to allow the pressure dressing to remain in place for 24 hours, then remove it, clean the wound daily with mild soap and water, pat dry, apply white petrolatum, and cover with a Band-Aid until healed. During observations on two consecutive days, the resident was still seen in bed with the dressings on the biopsy sites, and the dressings were not dated. The record contained no documentation that the biopsy sites were assessed upon return from the procedure and no documentation that wound care was performed on either day. The facility also failed to follow physician-ordered aspiration precautions for a resident with dysphagia. A FEES showed silent penetration with straw sips of thin liquids, and the resident was ordered an easy-to-chew diet with no straws. The care plan also directed staff not to provide beverages with a straw. Despite this, the resident was observed drinking water from a cup containing a straw. A CNA stated, "Well how else are we supposed to give him a water cup, we have to provide water." The SLP confirmed the FEES findings and the no-straw precaution, and the Medical Director stated he expected staff to follow physician orders and aspiration precautions for residents with dysphagia.
Failure to Monitor Ordered Vital Signs
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to monitor vital signs as ordered by the physician for Resident #46, who was admitted with multiple diagnoses including COPD with acute exacerbation, chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia, and congestive heart failure. The facility policy titled Vital Signs stated that vital signs are to be taken as ordered by the provider and documented immediately after measurement, and that abnormal or concerning vital signs must be reported to the licensed nurse for assessment and intervention. A physician order dated 5/19/26 directed that Resident #46's vital signs be taken once daily during the day shift. The June 2026 MAR documented an oxygen saturation of 87% on 6/5/26 with no follow-up vital signs documented, and no vital signs documented on 6/6/26. The resident's nursing progress notes did not document follow-up vital sign monitoring or that the oxygen saturation was below 88%. The CNO stated that there was no documentation of follow-up measures or monitoring related to the low oxygen reading on 6/5/26, and that on 6/6/26 the night shift recorded vitals but did not enter them into the medical record or document why the vitals were not taken during the day shift as ordered.
Medication Administered Despite Hold Parameters
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide nursing services consistent with professional standards of quality by not ensuring licensed nurses administered medications according to physician-ordered parameters for one resident. The resident had diagnoses including hypertension and hyperlipidemia. A physician order dated June 24, 2026, directed midodrine 10 mg by mouth three times daily, with instructions to hold the medication if systolic blood pressure was greater than or equal to 120 mmHg or if diastolic blood pressure was greater than or equal to 80 mmHg. Review of the medication administration record and documented blood pressure readings showed staff administered midodrine on multiple occasions even though the resident's blood pressure met or exceeded the ordered hold parameters. The medication was given when blood pressure readings included 125/72, 125/74, 122/80, 112/80, 126/66, 122/68, 126/68, and 126/68. During an interview, the Nursing Home Administrator acknowledged that staff administered the medication despite blood pressure readings that met the physician's ordered parameters requiring the medication to be withheld.
Failure to Assess and Report Abnormal Blood Glucose and Document Resident Change in Condition
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to notify the physician of increased and decreased capillary blood glucose (CBG) levels and failed to assess residents for hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, as well as changes in physical assessment, for three residents. Facility policy for hypoglycemia required timely initiation of emergency treatment using approved protocols, and the general documentation policy required accurate, timely documentation of resident status, interventions, and notification of appropriate parties. The facility did not have a specific hyperglycemia policy and relied on physician orders for parameters. Resident R3 had diagnoses including hypertension, diabetes, cerebrovascular accident, and dementia. Physician orders included Lantus 30 units at bedtime and Novolog 6 units with meals, along with sliding scale insulin. The eMAR showed CBG readings of 70 and 67, and the record indicated the resident was not assessed for hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia, blood glucose was not monitored for effectiveness of treatment, care plan interventions were not followed, and the physician was not notified of the abnormal results. Resident R137 had diagnoses including hypertension, diabetes, muscle weakness, and cognitive communication deficit. Orders included checking blood sugars as needed for signs and symptoms of hypo- or hyperglycemia, rechecking blood sugars over 350 in 4 hours, fasting blood sugars every morning, post-prandial blood sugars, and Novolog 25 units with breakfast and lunch plus sliding scale coverage. The eMAR showed blood glucose values of LOW, 432, 45, and 0, and the record indicated the resident was not assessed for hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia, blood glucose was not monitored for effectiveness of treatment, care plan interventions were not followed, and the physician was not notified. Resident R11’s record showed a bruise to the left eye/brow with unknown origin, continued monitoring notes, and then no further documentation about whether the bruise resolved; the Nursing Home Administrator confirmed the facility failed to document accurately for this resident.
Failure to Notify Provider of Significant Weight Changes
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to update the provider about resident R8’s weight changes per physician order. R8’s record showed diagnoses including coronary artery disease, heart failure, hypertension, and dementia, and the annual MDS indicated R8 was mildly cognitively impaired. A physician order dated 7-9-26 directed daily weights and to report a change of 3 lbs overnight. The weight record showed a 4 lb decrease from 153.5 lbs to 149.5 lbs and a 5 lb increase from 148.5 lbs to 153.5 lbs, but the medical record lacked evidence that the provider was ever notified of these changes. The DON confirmed by email that the provider was never updated, and later stated the provider should have been notified per the order.
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