Failure to Initiate Bowel Management Protocol for Resident with Constipation
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when the facility failed to follow its Bowel Management Protocol for one resident who did not have a bowel movement for six consecutive days. The resident's Task: Bowel Continence record showed no bowel movement from 6/24/25 to 6/30/25. During an interview and record review, the DON confirmed that the bowel protocol, which includes administering medications to treat and prevent constipation, was not initiated for this resident. No medications were given, and the necessary steps outlined in the facility's policy were not followed. The facility's policy requires daily review of residents' bowel movement records, identification of those who have not had a bowel movement in three days, and administration of appropriate medications as ordered by a physician. In this case, the required assessment, tracking, and treatment were not performed, resulting in the resident not receiving needed medication to address constipation.