Failure to Provide Timely Pain Management for Resident with Known Pain History
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident with a history of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and left side hemiplegia, who was known to experience acute and chronic pain, reported pain in her left arm and hand during care activities. The resident, who was severely cognitively impaired and dependent on staff for all activities of daily living, informed a CNA that her left hand was in pain after it became caught in the shower chair and again when it was stuck behind her during a mechanical lift transfer. Despite the resident's complaints, she was told to wait until after the shower, and her pain was not addressed at the time. The CNA stated she informed the LVN of the resident's pain, but the LVN reported being unaware of any pain complaints. Additionally, a restorative nursing assistant present during the transfer did not report the pain to anyone. The resident was not premedicated prior to care, despite her known history of pain and a care plan that called for administering pain medication before activities likely to cause discomfort. The facility's policy required prompt assessment and intervention for pain, but these steps were not followed, resulting in unmanaged pain for the resident.