Failure to Offer Pneumococcal Vaccine to Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that one of five sampled residents was offered a pneumococcal vaccine as required by facility policy. Review of the resident's admission record showed that the resident had been admitted and readmitted to the facility, with diagnoses including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and atrial fibrillation. The resident's Minimum Data Set indicated moderately impaired cognition and a need for supervision or assistance with all activities of daily living except eating. During interviews, the Infection Preventionist confirmed there was no documentation that the resident was educated about or offered the pneumococcal vaccine, despite the facility's policy stating that all residents should be offered this vaccine. The Infection Preventionist acknowledged that the vaccine was intended to protect residents from pneumococcal infections and that the failure to offer it placed the resident at risk. Review of the facility's policy confirmed the requirement to offer the vaccine to all residents.