Delay in Suture Removal Following Hospital Discharge
Penalty
Summary
A resident with a history of Alzheimer's disease, generalized anxiety disorder, lack of coordination, and major depressive disorder was admitted to the facility following a fall that resulted in a fractured nose and knee. Upon return from the hospital, the resident had sutures placed on the bridge of her nose and a brace on her left leg, with hospital discharge instructions specifying that the sutures should be removed in 7 days. Observations made more than two weeks after the incident revealed that the sutures were still present, with scabs forming over them, and the resident was seen tugging at the sutures. Interviews with facility staff indicated a lack of clarity regarding the appropriate timeframe for suture removal. One LPN believed the sutures should remain for 14-21 days, while the Director of Nursing confirmed that the sutures should have been removed on the date specified in the hospital discharge instructions. The delay in suture removal demonstrated that the resident did not receive care in accordance with professional standards of practice, the comprehensive care plan, or the resident's preferences and goals.