Failure to Apply Geri Sleeves as Ordered
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when staff failed to apply Geri sleeves to a resident as ordered by the physician. The resident, who had diagnoses including acute respiratory failure, muscle weakness, and dementia, was assessed as having moderately impaired cognitive skills and required assistance with daily activities. The resident had a history of scratching his forearms, resulting in skin tears, and had a physician's order for the application of bilateral upper extremity Geri sleeves at all times, except during hygiene care. The care plan also specified measures to prevent further skin tears and instructed staff to follow the physician's order. During an observation, the resident was found in bed without Geri sleeves on either forearm, and the assigned LVN was unable to locate the sleeves in the resident's room. The LVN confirmed that the resident should have been wearing the sleeves per the physician's order. The DON also confirmed the order and stated that it should be followed, noting the resident's fragile skin and tendency to scratch. The facility's policy required treatments to be administered as prescribed, but the Geri sleeves were not applied as ordered at the time of the surveyor's observation.