Failure to Assess and Offer Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccines
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that residents were properly assessed for their vaccination status and were offered influenza and pneumococcal vaccines as required. Specifically, three residents with multiple chronic conditions and complex medical histories did not have documentation in their medical records indicating that they were assessed for or offered the influenza and/or pneumococcal vaccines. For one resident, there was no evidence of an influenza vaccination assessment or consent form, nor any documentation that the influenza vaccine was offered for the current season. Another resident's record lacked a completed pneumococcal vaccination assessment and consent form, with no documentation that the vaccine was offered. A third resident's record was missing both pneumococcal and influenza vaccination assessment and consent forms, as well as any documentation that these vaccines were offered. Interviews with the unit manager confirmed the absence of required documentation and the failure to offer the vaccines. Review of facility policies indicated that it is the facility's protocol to offer these vaccines to all residents, provide educational materials, and document consent or refusal in the resident's chart. However, these procedures were not followed for the affected residents, resulting in the identified deficiency.