Failure to Provide Ordered Laboratory Services
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide laboratory services as ordered for one resident. Specifically, the resident was admitted with multiple diagnoses, including cerebral palsy, altered mental status, urinary tract infection, heart failure, quadriplegia, and anxiety disorder. The resident's Minimum Data Set indicated severely impaired cognitive skills and total dependence on staff for daily activities. Physician orders dated 10/29/2020 required a Complete Blood Count (CBC), Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP), Pre-albumin, Serum Iron, and Serum Ferritin to be obtained on 10/30/2020 and then monthly thereafter. A review of records and an interview with the DON confirmed that the required laboratory tests were not completed as ordered for the resident on 11/30/2020. The DON acknowledged that the licensed nurse responsible for receiving the physician's order did not carry out the order or complete the necessary laboratory requisition forms for subsequent months. The facility's policy required prompt execution of diagnostic service orders, but this was not followed in this instance.