Delay in Obtaining Urinalysis for Resident with Indwelling Catheter
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to obtain a urinalysis (UA) in a timely manner for one resident with multiple diagnoses, including anemia, orthostatic hypotension, renal insufficiency, neurogenic bladder, and disorders of the autonomic nervous system. The resident, who had an indwelling urinary catheter and was cognitively intact, had a physician's order for a UA with culture and sensitivity. Despite this order, the urine sample was not collected until several days later. Health status notes indicated the order was placed, but the sample remained pending for several days before collection. Interviews revealed that the laboratory made multiple attempts to collect the sample, but it was not available on three separate visits, leading to the cancellation of the original order. A nurse from the facility signed off on the cancellation. A new sample was eventually collected and processed, but this resulted in a significant delay in obtaining laboratory results and initiating antibiotic treatment for a urinary tract infection. The facility's policy requires timely provision of laboratory services, but this was not followed in this instance.