Failure to Ensure Ongoing Communication with Dialysis Providers
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure ongoing communication with dialysis providers for two residents who required hemodialysis. Both residents had diagnoses including end stage renal disease and were receiving dialysis three times a week. Review of their medical records and care plans indicated that staff were directed to encourage attendance at dialysis appointments, but there was no documentation of communication between the facility and the dialysis center. Staff interviews revealed that information was not consistently sent with residents to the dialysis center, and when residents returned, the facility typically did not receive or review information from the dialysis center, except occasionally for laboratory work. Nurses reported that communication sheets were not being used regularly, and the dialysis center confirmed they had not received information from the facility for several months. The Director of Nursing stated that nurses were responsible for completing and sending dialysis communication sheets with residents for every treatment, and that returned sheets should be uploaded to the electronic medical record and placed in the paper chart. However, this process was not being followed, as evidenced by the lack of documentation and staff statements. Facility policy required arrangements with the contracted dialysis provider to include how information would be exchanged, but this was not occurring, resulting in a deficiency related to the management and communication of dialysis care for residents.