Failure to Follow Care Plan for Safe Transfer Results in Resident Injury
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when two CNAs failed to follow a resident's care plan, which required the use of a mechanical lift with two staff for all transfers. Instead, the CNAs manually lifted the resident from her wheelchair to her bed using a stand and pivot technique. During the transfer, the resident immediately complained of severe pain in her left leg and was subsequently lowered to the floor. The CNAs then manually lifted her from the floor and placed her in bed, but did not report the incident or the resident's pain to the nurse. The resident involved had a history of hemiplegia and hemiparesis following a stroke, obesity, chronic back pain, and muscle weakness, and was dependent on staff for all transfers. Her care plan and Kardex clearly indicated the need for a mechanical lift with two staff. Following the improper transfer, the resident experienced increased pain and was later found to have sustained a left proximal tibia fracture with mild displacement, as confirmed by X-ray. The resident's pain complaints increased significantly after the incident, and her functional status and mood declined, as documented in subsequent assessments. Both CNAs involved were unaware or disregarded the resident's transfer requirements, and neither reported the incident or the resident's pain to nursing staff. The resident did not receive immediate hospital evaluation for her injury, and there were delays in obtaining appropriate orthopedic follow-up. The failure to follow the resident's care plan for safe transfers resulted in a serious injury and avoidable pain, and placed other residents requiring mechanical lifts at risk for harm.
Removal Plan
- Resident was assessed by the nurse due to her complaint of pain in left lower extremity, provider was notified and order received for diagnostic imaging.
- Resident and roommate were interviewed by former DON and reported that resident was transferred without the use of the mechanical lift by two CNAs.
- The CNAs who were noted as failing to follow resident's plan of care correctly for use of mechanical lift were immediately suspended.
- The ADON began education on identifying resident's transfer status, safe transfers and skills validation.
- An Ad Hoc Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) meeting was held with the facility Administrator, Director of Nursing and Medical Director to review the incident and training to be conducted as result of incident.
- The CNA who assisted the assigned CNA performed a reenactment of the incident and provided a statement which included information that the two CNAs had knowledge of resident's transfer status and subsequently disregarded this information by performing a stand and pivot transfer. Resident's care plan and Kardex indicated she required a two person assist with the use of mechanical lift for transfers.
- Each resident's care plan and Kardex were reviewed to ensure accurate transfer status was reflected.
- The facility held an ad hoc QAPI meeting to review the progress of education and competency completion as well as quality reviews. The committee conducted a root cause analysis which determined the assigned CNA made an independent decision, chose to ignore her prior education/training and did not follow the resident's plan of care for safe transfers. The ad hoc QAPI committee including the Medical Director approved the recommendations.
- The nursing staff were educated on change in condition to include but not limited to accidents resulting in injury, offering the resident to be transferred to higher level of care for further evaluation if serious injury, escalation to chain of command via nurse supervisor and/or DON if resident concern is not addressed, following resident care plan/Kardex, safe resident handing, mechanical lift usage and competencies. The remaining nursing staff members would receive education prior to next shift worked.
- Ad Hoc QAPI meetings were completed with Medical Director, Administrator, and former DON where incident, abuse and neglect, use of mechanical lifts, transfer competencies, updating care plans/Kardex, change in condition, pain management and following care plans/Kardex were discussed. No recommended changes were made to the performance improvement plan.