Failure to Immediately Notify Provider of Acute Change in Condition Post-Fall
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when facility staff failed to immediately notify the medical provider of an acute change in condition for a resident who had recently experienced a fall. The resident, who had a history of atrial fibrillation, pulmonary embolism, cerebral infarction with hemiplegia, and traumatic brain injury, was on anticoagulant therapy with apixaban. After an unwitnessed fall from bed, the resident was assessed by nursing staff, found to have no visible injuries, and was returned to bed. Neurological checks were initiated, and the resident reported not hitting his head. The following day, staff observed that the resident was hard to arouse, nonverbal, unresponsive, and lethargic. Multiple staff members, including nurse aides and therapy staff, noted the resident's significant change from his baseline, describing him as limp, lethargic, and not responding as usual. These observations were communicated to nursing staff and the unit manager. However, the medical provider was not notified of the resident's acute change in condition until late in the afternoon, several hours after the initial signs were observed. During this period, assessments were performed, and vital signs were taken, but the delay in provider notification persisted. The unit manager eventually contacted the provider, who ordered diagnostic tests. The next day, the resident's family found him unresponsive and requested hospital transfer, where he was diagnosed with a large subdural hematoma. Interviews with staff and the medical director confirmed that the provider should have been notified immediately upon recognition of the change in condition, especially given the resident's medical history and anticoagulant use.
Removal Plan
- The DON re-educated the nurse on the notification policy and process to include immediately notifying the Medical Provider when a resident has a change in condition.
- The DON and Nurse Consultant completed an audit of residents on anticoagulant therapy who have experienced a fall to ensure timely notification to the Medical Provider if a change in resident condition occurs.
- The facility reviewed all residents with changes in condition to ensure immediate notification to the Medical Provider occurred.
- The Administrator, Director of Nursing, President of Risk and Quality Assurance, Nurse Consultant, Physician Assistant and Medical Director held an Ad Hoc QAPI meeting to discuss the incident to determine root cause analysis of the facility's failure to immediately notify the Medical Provider when Resident #1 had a change in condition.
- The Director of Risk of Quality Management, Nurse Consultant, Director of Nursing, Administrator, and Physician Assistant reviewed the notification and fall policy.
- The Director of Nursing, Nurse Consultant, and Nursing Administration initiated education with all facility and contracted licensed nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants on the facility Notification of Changes in Condition and Fall Prevention Policies.
- Education includes the licensed nurse's responsibility to immediately notify the Medical Provider of any resident's change in condition, especially post-fall, with a history of stroke and pulmonary embolism on an anticoagulant.
- Certified Nursing Assistants will immediately communicate to the licensed nurses any change in Residents condition.
- The Director of Nursing will ensure all newly hired licensed nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants will be educated during orientation and contracted staff educated prior to taking their assignment.
- The Administrator is ultimately responsible for the implementation and completion of this removal plan.