Delay in Mobile Radiology Services Following Resident Fall
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to ensure the timely provision of radiology services for a resident who required a left hip x-ray following a fall. The x-ray was ordered to be performed on the same day as the fall, but the mobile radiology agency, contracted to provide services seven days a week, did not perform the x-ray as scheduled. Staff, including the unit manager and LPN, contacted the mobile x-ray provider and were informed that the x-ray could not be completed until after the weekend, resulting in a delay. Documentation and interviews confirmed that the x-ray was not performed as ordered, and the delay was attributed to the service provider's weekend schedule. The resident involved had multiple diagnoses, including hypertension, atrial fibrillation, dementia, and difficulty walking, but was assessed as cognitively intact. Family members and the local ombudsman reported concerns about the delay, with the family ultimately calling 911 to obtain the necessary imaging. The facility's agreement with the mobile x-ray company specified availability of services seven days a week, but this was not adhered to in practice, leading to the deficiency.