Failure to Notify CHF Clinic of Significant Weight Gain in Resident
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident with a diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF) received treatment and care in accordance with professional standards of practice, the comprehensive person-centered care plan, and the resident's choices. Specifically, the facility did not notify the CHF clinic of the resident's significant weight gain as required by provider orders. The resident experienced a weight increase of more than 10 pounds within a week, as documented in daily weight records, and exhibited symptoms such as shortness of breath and low oxygen saturation levels. Despite clear physician orders to notify the CHF clinic for weight gains of 2 or more pounds overnight or 3-5 pounds in one week, there was no documentation in the nursing progress notes that such notifications were made during the period of weight gain. Interviews with nursing staff confirmed that although weights were taken and abnormal findings were reported during shift handovers, no direct notification was made to the CHF clinic. The resident's care plan also included interventions to monitor for respiratory distress and to contact the medical provider if noted, but these interventions were not fully implemented as required. The lack of timely notification resulted in the resident requiring IV Lasix administration at the CHF clinic after the significant weight gain and onset of shortness of breath. Family members and clinical staff from the CHF clinic confirmed that they were not informed of the resident's weight changes by the facility, which led to a delay in care. The facility's own policy required prompt notification and documentation of changes in condition, but this was not followed in this case, as confirmed by interviews with the DON, nursing staff, and the resident's physician.
Removal Plan
- The facility activity report and the 24-hour report will be audited by the Director of Nursing/Designee to identify any documentation that indicates changes in resident's condition and notification to provider as ordered.
- The Director of Nursing will be reeducated by the Clinical Consultant on following providers orders to prevent a delay in treatment and change in condition including: prompt notifications documented in residents medical record to providers as designated in provider orders; all attempts to notify medical staff and responsible parties by the licensed nurse will be documented in resident's medical record; notifications to required medical staff of weight changes as ordered; nursing leadership will validate in clinical morning meeting that any documentation regarding a change of condition has been assessed appropriately and provider has been notified. This will be documented on the Clinical Morning Meeting Agenda during morning meeting by the Director of Nursing/Designee and on the Weekend by the Weekend Supervisor; shortness of breath; weight gain in residents with Congestive Heart Failure causing shortness of breath.
- Licensed nurses, including PRN nurses, will be reeducated by the Director of Nursing/Designee on following provider orders to prevent a delay in treatment and change in condition including: prompt notifications to providers as designated in provider orders; all attempts to notify medical staff and responsible parties by the licensed nurse will be documented in resident's medical record; notifications to required medical staff of weight changes as ordered; shortness of breath; weight gain in Congestive Heart Failure residents causing shortness of breath. Licensed Nurses, including PRN nurses not receiving this education will receive prior to their next scheduled shift and this will be completed in New Hire orientation.
- Director of Nursing/Designee will review the Facility Activity Report and 24-hour report in clinical morning meeting to identify any documentation regarding a change in condition and validate the resident has been assessed appropriately and provider notified. The Weekend Supervisor will validate on the weekend. This will continue for 4 weeks, then randomly for 2 additional months.
- The Administrator will oversee the continuation of this plan.
- Ad Hoc QAPI will be held.
- The Medical Director was notified of the Immediate Jeopardy and contents of this plan.
- Monitoring included the following: Record review completed of the facility 24-hour report. Completed by the DON. All residents in the facility were reviewed for any concerns identified and marked for follow up.
- Record review of an in-service titled: Change of Condition monitoring, reviewing clinical documentation and signs & symptoms of CHF exacerbation with proper notification to providers of changes.
- Record review of an additional in-service on prompt notifications to providers, documentation, and validation in clinical morning meetings.
- Record review of in-service titled Heart Failure Management- recognizing change of condition in CHF Residents such as weight gain and shortness of breath along with other symptoms.
- Record review of a staff in-service revealed staff were educated on Heart Failure Management- recognizing change of condition in CHF Residents such as weight gain and shortness of breath along with other symptoms.
- Record review of a staff in-service revealed staff were educated on prompt notifications to providers, documentation, notifications to required medical staff of weight changes as ordered, shortness of breath, and weight gain in Congestive Heart Failure residents causing shortness of breath.
- Record Review of training titled: Change of Condition revealed staff were trained on licensed nurses must notify providers of change of condition for orders if necessary to prevent a delay in treatment including: prompt notifications to providers as designated in provider orders; all attempts to notify medical staff and responsible parties will be documented in resident's medical record; notifications to required medical staff of weight changes as ordered.
- Record review of the Adhoc QAPI for F684 revealed the meeting included the ADM, DON, CC, and MD.
- Record Review of a signed statement by the DON revealed notification to the MD regarding Immediate Jeopardy.
- Record review of the new hire orientation packet which included an added section revealed the following: respiratory care all nurses validate resident is receiving oxygen per MD orders; change of condition recognition and notification to providers; prompt notification to providers, all attempts to notify medical staff and RP will be documented in residents medical record; notifications to require medical staff of weight changes as ordered. SOB, weight gain in CHF resident causing SOB; policy on physician and other communication /change in condition policy added and packet on the Management of heart failure preventing and managing exacerbations & comorbidities.
- Record review of education provided to the only 2 agency nurse staff working revealed education included change of condition and CHF education.
- Record review of an email from the DON to RN C revealed communication with RN C on change of conditions and early warning signs of CHF exacerbation and the need to notify.
- Record review of an email from the DON to LVN B revealed communication with LVN B on change of conditions and early warning signs of CHF exacerbation and the need to notify/ Management of Heart Failure.
- Record review of text messages from the DON to LVN A revealed LVN A was not working but was sent in-services and education was provided on change of conditions and early warning signs of CHF exacerbation and the need to notify.
- Record review of text messages from DON to LVN D revealed LVN D was not working but was sent in-services and education was provided on change of conditions and early warning signs of CHF exacerbation and the need to notify.
- In-service training and verbal assessment for LVN E prior to her shift on changes of condition and the need to notify providers, including a PowerPoint on CHF management.
- In-service training and verbal quiz for LVN F prior to her shift on changes of condition, who to notify, weight gain, CHF management including s/s and concerns to look for.
- Ongoing training to any oncoming agency, PRN, or new staff.
- Review completed on all current CHF residents and there were no concerns with the orders and none required to be seen by a CHF clinic at the time of review.
Penalty
Resources
Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:
Trusted data from CMS and state health departments
Every citation, penalty and Plan of Correction is sourced from public CMS records (latest release May 27, 2026) and official state health department websites — never guesswork.
Trusted by long-term care providers and associations.



