Failure to Provide Physician-Ordered Splint Devices for Residents with Contractures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide physician-ordered splint devices to residents with contractures, as evidenced by the care of two residents reviewed for range of motion. One resident, with diagnoses including paralytic syndrome, polyneuropathy, and contracture of the right hand and wrist, had a physician order and care plan intervention for a right palm protector to be applied daily for up to eight hours. Despite this, multiple observations over several days showed the resident was not wearing the palm protector. Interviews with nursing staff and CNAs revealed confusion and lack of clarity regarding responsibility for applying the device, with none of the interviewed staff having applied the palm protector as ordered. Another resident, diagnosed with contracture of the left hand and elbow as well as hemiplegia and hemiparalysis, had an active physician order and care plan for a left c-roll splint to be applied for six hours daily. Observations on multiple occasions found the resident in bed with contracted extremities and no splint or device in place. Staff interviews confirmed the resident had not had the splint applied during the observed period. Facility policy indicated that splints and braces are to be used to enhance mobility and maintain alignment, but these were not provided as ordered for the residents in question.