Unnecessary Catheterization for Urine Specimen Collection
Penalty
Summary
A resident with diagnoses including heart failure, anemia, malignant neoplasm of the prostate, and acute kidney failure was admitted to the facility and assessed as alert, oriented, and continent of bladder. The care plan indicated the resident was at risk for incontinence due to impaired mobility but was able to independently ambulate to and from the bathroom. An intervention was in place to assist the resident to the toilet as needed and to ensure an unobstructed path to the bathroom. Following the onset of a fever of unknown origin, a physician ordered a urine specimen to rule out a UTI. Despite the resident's ability to voluntarily void and independently use the bathroom, nursing staff obtained the urine specimen via straight catheterization. Documentation noted the resident had hematuria following the procedure. The Director of Nursing confirmed that the resident was catheterized for the urine specimen even though he was capable of providing a voided sample, which was not in accordance with individualized care and the facility's policy to avoid unnecessary catheterization.