Failure to Follow Physician Order for Edema Glove
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to follow a physician's order for a resident requiring a right-hand edema glove. According to the clinical record, the resident had diagnoses including high blood pressure, stroke, and seizure disorder, and both the physician order and care plan specified that the resident should wear a right edema glove during the day, to be put on with morning care and removed with evening care. However, during two separate observations, the resident was seen out of bed and dressed for the day without the edema glove on the right hand as ordered. Interviews with nurse aides assigned to the resident's hall revealed that they were unaware of any residents requiring an edema glove for swelling. An LPN confirmed via the computer system that the order for the edema glove was in place and acknowledged that the resident was not wearing it as required. The Director of Nursing also confirmed that the facility did not follow the physician's order for the edema glove for this resident.