Failure to Provide Ordered Wound Care, Weights, Blood Pressure Monitoring, and Compression Therapy
Summary
The facility failed to ensure necessary wound assessment, treatment, and follow-through for a resident with bilateral lower-extremity skin concerns. The resident had moderate cognitive impairment, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, dementia, hemiplegia, cellulitis history, reduced mobility, muscle weakness, and edema. The care plan directed staff to inspect skin, monitor for infection, and report changes. On 1/15/26, nursing documented the resident’s left lower leg was warm, red, irritated, and had drained on and off, with prior blisters that had scabbed over. An SBAR also described a red, warm, irritated left lower leg, open/scabbed areas on both legs, weeping, and refusal of wraps and leg elevation. Documentation showed the provider was not notified of the change in skin condition and new wound orders were not obtained and implemented in a timely manner. The record lacked documentation that the provider had been notified until 1/22/26, and the wound orders were not implemented until 1/26/26. During observation on 1/21/26, the RN removed soiled dressings, noted reddened legs with yellow drainage on the left leg, cleaned the legs, applied moisturizer to the lower legs but not the open areas, and then applied ABD pads directly to both lower legs secured with Coban after stating Kerlix was unavailable. Staff interviews showed the LPN was unaware of any dressing change orders or open areas, and the DON later confirmed the provider should have been notified and that the resident went the entire weekend without wound care because no orders had been implemented. The facility also failed to complete and monitor daily weights, monitor blood pressures, and administer medications according to provider parameters for the resident with edema and hypertension. The resident had orders for daily weights, PRN hydralazine for systolic blood pressure greater than 160, and torsemide related to weight gain and blood pressure. The record showed multiple blood pressure readings above 160, but the MAR did not indicate hydralazine was given as ordered. Provider notes stated the resident’s blood pressure had been high, weights had been creeping up, legs were more swollen and weeping, and the resident had not been getting torsemide or hydralazine as often as expected. The DON confirmed weights were not obtained and documented as ordered, medications were not administered as prescribed, and the provider was not notified of the weight increase as expected. The facility also failed to follow physician orders for another resident with CHF and edema. That resident had orders for daily weights and Ace wraps to the lower extremities during the day and off at night. Review of the weight record showed seven missed daily weights over an 18-day period. The MAR showed Ace wraps were not applied on most scheduled occasions, with entries such as not applied, refused without supporting progress note documentation, and not applied on multiple days. Staff interviews showed nursing assistants were not consistently informed which residents needed weights, the new tracking process was not effectively communicated, and the DON stated she did not routinely monitor to ensure physician orders were being carried out.
Penalty
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