Failure to Update Care Plan for Smoking Independence
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to update a resident's care plan to accurately reflect changes in the resident's care needs regarding smoking. A quarterly MDS assessment showed that the resident was cognitively intact and dependent on staff for care needs. However, a smoking safety assessment later determined that the resident was safe to smoke independently and did not require staff assistance. Despite this, the resident's care plan continued to state that the resident was non-compliant with the facility's non-smoking policy and required a staff member to accompany him outside to smoke. Interviews with the resident confirmed that he always smoked independently, and facility leadership acknowledged that the care plan should have been updated to reflect this change.