Failure to Seek Emergency Care for Resident with Critically High Blood Sugar
Summary
A deficiency occurred when the facility failed to seek emergency care for a resident with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus who was experiencing blood sugar levels too high to be measured by the facility's glucose monitoring device. The resident, who had a complex medical history including cerebral palsy, quadriplegia, chronic kidney disease, and a history of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), exhibited a significant change in condition with persistently elevated blood glucose readings that exceeded the glucometer's measurable range. Despite repeated 'HI' readings on the glucometer, which indicated blood glucose levels above 600 mg/dL, and observable changes in the resident's behavior and responsiveness, emergency medical intervention was not initiated in a timely manner. Throughout the day, certified nurse assistants (CNAs) reported to the agency LPN that the resident was not acting normally and recommended hospital transfer, but the LPN chose to administer insulin and wait for a physician's response instead. The LPN was unfamiliar with the facility's policies, the glucometer's limits, and had not received training on change in condition or emergency protocols. The DON was consulted and advised the LPN to use her judgment or wait for physician orders, but did not direct immediate transfer. Communication with the on-call physician was attempted, but there was no documented response or follow-up, and the facility's communication system was not effectively utilized. The resident's condition continued to deteriorate, with ongoing 'HI' blood sugar readings and increasing unresponsiveness. Later, the oncoming agency RN also observed the resident's critical state, continued to attempt to reach the physician, and administered additional insulin per verbal orders, but did not document the physician's name or the new orders properly. The resident's blood sugar eventually decreased to 488 mg/dL, but his condition worsened, culminating in respiratory distress, unresponsiveness, and ultimately death. Documentation and communication lapses were evident, including incomplete MAR entries and lack of proper notification or escalation. The cause of death was listed as probable diabetic ketoacidosis.
Removal Plan
- Facility administrator was in-serviced by Regional Reimbursement Consultant on ensuring that glucometer values out of normal range are communicated to the attending physician or authorized designee in a timely, efficient and effective manner.
- Facility administrator was in-serviced by Regional Reimbursement Consultant on ensuring that licensed nursing personnel will inform the physician or authorized designee with any change in condition of the resident in an effective, timely and efficient manner.
- Facility administrator was in-serviced by Regional Reimbursement Consultant on medications being administered in accordance with the good nursing principles and practices and only by persons legally authorized to do so and only after they have been properly oriented to the facility's medication distribution system.
- Facility's administrator in-serviced by Regional Reimbursement Consultant on using nursing judgement to seek emergency treatment when appropriate.
- Facility Administrator initiated in-servicing for nursing staff on using nursing judgement to seek emergency treatment when appropriate.
- Facility Administrator initiated in-servicing for all nursing staff on ensuring glucometer values out of normal range are communicated to the attending physician or authorized designee in a timely, efficient and effective manner to be completed before the start of their next shift.
- Facility Administrator initiated in-servicing for all nursing staff on medications being administered in accordance with the good nursing principles and practices and only by legally authorized to do so and only after they have been properly oriented to the facility's medication distribution system, to be completed before the start of their next shift.
- Facility policy for physician notification has been reviewed by Regional Director of Operations and has been found to be in compliance.
- Facility completed an audit of all diabetic residents to ensure that their blood sugars are within therapeutic range and a weekly audit will be performed by the DON or designee weekly for four weeks.
- Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) plan has been revised to include that the facility will ensure residents experiencing an acute critical situation receive timely emergency care and lacks a process for physician notification and receiving orders in an acute situation. QAPI revisions will be discussed at the next QAPI meeting.
- Monitoring will be ongoing in the morning Quality Assurance (QA) meeting by the QA team (Administrator, Director of Nursing (DON), Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON), Minimum Data Set (MDS)), the QA team will review the 24-hour report and follow up on any changes in condition to ensure that proper care was received and proper procedures were followed.
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.



