Failure to Complete Physician-Ordered Laboratory Test
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that laboratory tests were completed as ordered by the physician for one resident. The resident, who had diagnoses including heart failure and hypertension and was assessed as having no cognitive impairment, complained of cough and congestion. The physician was notified and ordered guaifenesin and an RSV test. However, there was no physician order for the RSV test documented in the health record, nor were there any results for an RSV test collected on the date in question. Interviews revealed that the order for the RSV test was not entered into the computer, and the facility was out of swabs needed for the test. The lab company was scheduled to bring more swabs, but the facility did not follow up to ensure the sample was collected.