Administrative Failures Result in Multiple Immediate Jeopardy Deficiencies
Penalty
Summary
The facility's administration failed to implement and enforce policies necessary for the effective management and operation of the facility, resulting in multiple deficiencies. There was no full-time RN working eight consecutive hours per day, and the facility lacked a Director of Nursing (DON) for an extended period. The responsibilities of the DON, including care planning, fall assessments, and MDS completion, were not being fulfilled, as confirmed by staff interviews. The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) was unable to assume these duties due to other responsibilities, and the Med Records Nurse had been working as a bedside nurse for six months, leaving medical records unattended. Employee files for former DONs showed no signed job descriptions, and there was no evidence of staff orientation or training programs as required by facility policy. The facility also failed to ensure that LPNs managing peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) were properly certified or trained. The Administrator admitted to not tracking which LPNs were IV certified and confirmed there was no IV training provided in the facility. Bed rails were installed on most beds without proper assessments, consent, or documentation. The Housekeeping/Maintenance Supervisor, responsible for installing and maintaining bed rails, had not read manufacturer guidelines and did not keep logs or forms related to bed rail safety. Staff interviews revealed a lack of knowledge about bed rail assessments and documentation, and the process for determining bed rail use was informal and based on resident preference rather than clinical assessment. Residents who experienced falls did not receive fall assessments or updated care plans, and interventions to prevent further falls were not identified or implemented. A newly admitted resident was not assessed for mobility function, and necessary interventions and equipment to maintain independence were not provided. The facility was unable to provide a policy for Activities of Daily Living/Mobility when requested. These failures in administration and oversight led to Immediate Jeopardy findings for multiple federal regulations, with the potential to cause serious harm to all residents in the facility.
Removal Plan
- In-service/meeting given via phone by regional director to governing body members (Manager, medical director) and in person to administrator.
- Administrator in-serviced management staff (DON, COM, SS, HR, MOS) regarding the following: Responsibility of the Governing Body (facility oversight, operations and policy/procedure), Survey findings and Plan of Removal to correct: Fall Clinical Protocol, Registered Nurse requirement, Competent staff, Mobility, Bed rail usage and Supervision to prevent accidents, Plan moving forward to improve findings.
- In-service provided to Administrator by Regional Director.
- In-service provided to nursing staff regarding policy and procedure of bed rails, assessing, consent to use and physician order required.
- Consent forms for residents with bed rails obtained.
- Bed rail assessments for residents with bed rails completed.
- Assessments and consents obtained for six residents identified as having bed rails with no assessments/consents.
- Monitoring sheets completed by Administrator and Director of Nursing (DON), by Housekeeping Supervisor and by Administrator and DON, for bed rail assessment and consents.
- File containing manufacturer guidelines for bed rails provided.
- Housekeeping Supervisor in-serviced by the Administrator regarding bedrails, maintenance, ensuring bedrails are compatible with the bed frame, and has reviewed and will refer to guidelines if needed.
- Staff in-serviced on bed rails and enhanced barrier precautions.
- Staff who were not physically present to receive the in-services were in-serviced by telephone, with the in-service information provided and the employee acknowledging receipt and voicing understanding.