Failure to Assess, Notify, and Document Urinary Symptoms
Summary
The facility failed to ensure appropriate treatment and care were provided for one resident who had urinary symptoms. The resident had been admitted with diagnoses including encephalopathy, generalized muscle weakness, and sepsis, and the MDS indicated moderately impaired cognition, substantial to maximal assistance needs for several ADLs, dependence on staff for transfers and mobility, and urinary incontinence. During interviews, the resident stated she had discomfort and tingling when urinating and had reported the symptoms to staff. On review of the resident’s record, a physician order dated 12/28/2025 directed a UA C&S to be performed in the morning, one time only for one day. The MAR reflected the order, and one LVN’s initials were recorded at 10:10 p.m., but the facility did not complete the laboratory requisition needed for the specimen to be processed. The DON stated there was no assessment performed for the resident’s urinary complaints and no change-of-condition documentation in the record. The DON also stated that when residents complain of abnormal urinary symptoms, the licensed nurse is expected to assess the resident, document findings, inform the physician, and carry out physician orders, including obtaining and sending urine to the laboratory if ordered. Interviews with nursing staff showed confusion about responsibility for the resident’s urinary complaint, the SBAR, the physician notification, and the care plan. One LVN stated he collected the urine but did not enter the laboratory request because he was told that was not his responsibility, and he did not develop a care plan because he believed the nurse who completed the change of condition and SBAR would do so. Another LVN stated she told him the resident needed a urine sample, but she did not have direct contact with the resident that shift. The ADON stated that when a resident presents with urinary symptoms, the licensed nurse must conduct a thorough assessment, initiate a change of condition, notify the physician, carry out physician orders, notify the family, and develop a care plan, and that the laboratory requisition should have been completed when the urine was obtained.
Penalty
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