Failure to Provide Required RN Coverage for 8 Consecutive Hours
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide Registered Nurse (RN) coverage for at least 8 consecutive hours on one of the 82 days reviewed for staffing. On the date in question, review of the daily posted nurse staffing sheets confirmed there was no RN coverage. The Director of Nursing (DON) stated she was responsible for checking the daily posted staffing sheets Monday through Friday and would review weekend sheets on Monday. The DON was unaware that the RN coverage needed to be for 8 consecutive hours and explained that the regular weekend RN was on vacation during the relevant period. Although coverage was arranged for one day, the DON realized upon reviewing the schedule that there was no RN present on the other day in question. The Scheduler, who had recently started in her position, confirmed she was aware of the 8-hour RN requirement and attempted to find contract staff to fill the need but was unable to secure RN coverage for the day in question. She stated she had informed the DON of the lack of coverage. The DON was uncertain if she had been told about the absence of RN coverage and stated that if she had known, she would have tried to find an RN. The Administrator confirmed that the DON was responsible for checking staffing sheets and was aware of the RN coverage requirement but was not aware that there was no RN present on the day in question.