Failure to Provide Timely Laboratory Services for Urine Testing
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide timely laboratory services for a resident who had a physician's order for a urinalysis (UA) and culture and sensitivity (C&S) on 07/19/2024. The resident, who had a history of benign prostatic hyperplasia and cystitis, was noted to be more confused on the day the order was placed, prompting the nurse to obtain a urine specimen as ordered. However, the laboratory never received the specimen, and the collection remained pending in their system. Ten days later, another UA was performed, but the results indicated probable urogenital contamination and no further workup was done. This delay and failure to process the initial laboratory order resulted in the resident not receiving timely diagnostic testing as required.