Failure to Maintain and Document PICC Line Care per Standards
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain intravenous (IV) devices in accordance with professional standards of practice for one resident who was admitted with a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line. Upon admission, the resident's assessment did not include required measurements such as the total catheter length, external catheter length, or arm circumference, despite facility policy and physician orders mandating these assessments. The resident received antibiotic medication through the PICC line, and the dressing was observed to be peeling and dated prior to admission, indicating it had not been changed as required. Further review of the resident's clinical records, including medication administration records, progress notes, evaluations, and care plan, revealed no documentation of the PICC line external catheter length, total catheter length, or arm circumference at any time since admission. Physician orders specifically required documentation of these measurements and regular dressing changes, but these were not completed or recorded. Observations with the Director of Nursing confirmed that the PICC line dressing had not been changed since admission, and the required assessments and documentation were not performed.