Failure to Ensure Staff Competency in CPR and Emergency Response Procedures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that nursing staff, including RNs, LPNs, and CNAs, maintained appropriate competencies and current certifications necessary to provide emergency care, specifically Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Review of staff records revealed that several staff members, including Staff C, D, and E, lacked current CPR certification and had not completed required training on the facility's Emergency Response procedures. Staff C, who encountered a resident found unresponsive, without a pulse, and not breathing, did not initiate CPR due to panic and lack of knowledge. Staff D and E, both present during the same incident, also did not perform CPR; Staff D's and E's CPR certifications were expired, and neither had received recent emergency response training. Staff E indicated an expectation that the nurse would perform CPR, while Staff D did not act as required. Additionally, the facility did not ensure that all staff were aware of the location of emergency equipment. Staff F, an LPN, was unaware of the location of the facility's Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on their assigned floor, and it was observed that the AED was missing from the third floor nurse's station due to being out for repair, leaving only one functioning AED on the second floor. The Resident Care Manager confirmed that all staff were expected to know the AED's location. These failures were contrary to the facility's own assessment, which required all licensed nurses and CNAs to maintain current CPR certification and be competent in emergency response procedures.