Failure to Ensure Proper Dialysis Communication and Collaboration
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure proper collaboration with an off-site dialysis center for a resident diagnosed with end stage renal disease and dependent on renal dialysis. Review of the resident's dialysis communication records revealed that the pre-dialysis section, which should include vital signs, was incomplete or missing on multiple dates. The resident reported that the facility did not always complete the required communication form that he took to dialysis appointments, which contained his medications and the dialysis communication sheet. Interviews with facility staff and the dialysis center RN confirmed that the facility often sent the dialysis communication sheet blank and did not provide a separate facility assessment with the resident. The DON stated that the facility conducted its own assessments and sent them in a packet with the resident, but could not provide evidence that these assessments were actually sent, as no folder was maintained and the information was not tracked. The facility's policy required continued assessment and appropriate paperwork to be sent with the resident to the off-site dialysis center, which was not consistently followed.