Failure to Provide Required Mobility Equipment and Services
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that residents with limited mobility received appropriate services, equipment, and assistance to maintain or improve their range of motion (ROM). For one resident with a history of high blood pressure, hemiplegia, and stroke, a physician order required the use of a right palm guard at all times except during hygiene. However, the resident's care plan did not include care and management of the palm guard, a fact confirmed by the Registered Nurse Assessment Coordinator. Another resident, also with diagnoses including high blood pressure, hemiplegia, and anemia, had physician orders for bilateral palm guards to be worn at all times except for hygiene, and for daily cleaning and reapplication of the hand braces. Despite these orders, observations on two separate occasions found the resident without the required palm guards applied. This was confirmed by a registered nurse, and the Director of Nursing acknowledged that the facility failed to provide the necessary services, equipment, and assistance to maintain or improve mobility for these residents.