Failure to Formalize and Evaluate Staff Competency for LVAD Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide and evaluate staff for appropriate competencies and skill sets regarding the care of a resident with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). The facility assessment identified the need for staff to have competencies in special care needs, including LVAD care. However, during interviews, the Nursing Home Administrator acknowledged that there were no formalized competencies or comprehensive training in place for LVAD care, despite some informal education efforts by the unit manager. Review of the resident's hospital discharge binder revealed extensive and detailed instructions for LVAD care, but the facility had not implemented a structured training or competency evaluation for staff prior to the survey. A resident with an LVAD reported that staff appeared knowledgeable and followed appropriate precautions during dressing changes, and a unit manager demonstrated understanding of LVAD care tasks. Despite this, the lack of a formalized and evaluated training program for all staff responsible for LVAD care constituted a deficiency, as the facility had not ensured that all staff were properly trained and assessed for competency in this specialized area as required by the facility's own assessment.