Failure to Administer Consented Flu and Pneumonia Vaccinations
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to administer influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations to two residents who had previously provided consent for these immunizations. One resident, admitted with multiple diagnoses including protein calorie malnutrition, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, had a signed consent form for the influenza vaccine completed by a family member. Despite a physician's order for annual influenza vaccination and documentation of consent, the resident did not receive the vaccine. The resident confirmed never having received the influenza vaccine during their stay, and the immunization record showed the status as pending. The administrator stated the vaccine was not given due to insurance denial and was unsure of the facility's policy in such cases. Another resident, admitted with diagnoses such as osteomyelitis of the vertebra, severe protein calorie malnutrition, and dementia, had signed consent forms for multiple pneumococcal vaccines. The vaccine was present in the medication room, but there was no documentation that it had been administered. The administrator and the DON both confirmed the resident had not received the vaccine, and the DON stated there was no specific policy for pneumococcal vaccinations, only that CDC guidelines were followed. Facility policy for influenza vaccination was available, but there was no documented policy for pneumococcal vaccination.