Failure to Assess and Address Pain During Wound Care
Penalty
Summary
Nurses and nurse aides failed to demonstrate appropriate competencies in pain assessment and management during wound care for a resident with wounds. During an observed wound care procedure, the resident exhibited clear signs of pain, including grimacing, body stiffening, and verbal expressions of discomfort, yet the LPN performing the care did not stop the procedure or address the resident's pain. The LPN admitted to not assessing the resident for pain prior to the procedure and was unaware of any pain medication orders for the resident. Review of employee files revealed no documentation of completed wound care training. The Director of Nursing was unable to confirm any specific process in place to ensure nursing staff competency in identifying and treating wounds.