Failure to comprehensively assess and monitor skin wounds
Summary
The facility failed to comprehensively assess and monitor an open blister and discoloration on one resident’s right lower leg. The resident had diagnoses including ovarian and thyroid cancer and morbid obesity, was dependent with bed mobility and transfers, received hospice services, and was cognitively intact. Although the resident’s skin was documented as intact on admission and a hospice note on 10/29/25 stated there were no open areas on the right lower calf, the record did not include weekly skin check documentation between 10/30/25 and 11/15/25. On 11/12/25, a nurse observed a large fluid-filled blister and discoloration on the bottom of the right calf and applied a transparent dressing, but did not measure the blister or discoloration or complete a comprehensive assessment. The resident’s hospice note the next day identified a new wound and bruising on the right inner calf with fluid-filled blisters. The bruising was measured at 26 cm by 20 cm, and an image showed a large purple area with a large irregular fluid-filled blister near the ankle and a second open area that appeared to be a blister that had opened. During interview, the nurse stated she did not measure the area or complete a comprehensive assessment and only applied an opsite dressing. The interim DON stated he was informed of the blister and discoloration but did not complete a comprehensive assessment because the hospice nurse was going to look at it later. The facility also failed to comprehensively assess and monitor a right leg laceration for another resident. This resident had a diagnosis of laceration to the right lower leg, had sustained the injury before admission, and had received 15 sutures with instructions to keep the wound clean and dry and watch for signs of infection. The record did not include a comprehensive skin assessment on admission, and weekly wound assessments were not documented. Notes described warmth, malodor, drainage, redness, swelling, and delayed suture removal, and later documentation showed the wound remained red and irritated with brownish, odorous drainage. On observation, the wound above the knee had a scabbed/scarred area with a small open area, maceration, and two purple sutures still present. The DON stated the resident had not had a comprehensive assessment on admission or a weekly assessment to monitor the wound.
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