Failure to Arrange Ordered Consults and Evaluate Possible Insect Bites
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a dermatology consult was arranged for a resident with persistent itching. The resident was admitted with diagnoses including type 2 diabetes, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder with depressed mood, and was cognitively intact. She reported ongoing itching from head to toe that interfered with sleep and stated she wanted to see a dermatologist. The physician’s initial assessment documented a history of itching in the scalp and throat and noted itching of the skin without rash. A physician order was written for a dermatology consult for itching and a history of eczema, but the medical record did not show that an appointment with a dermatologist or allergist had been arranged or that the resident was seen. Staff interviews showed the consult order was supposed to be placed in a folder for transportation staff, but the order was not given to the staff member responsible for scheduling outside appointments, and the appointment had not been made until later. The facility also failed to ensure assessment and treatment were completed for a resident who reported possible insect bites. The resident, who was cognitively intact and admitted with diagnoses including unspecified atrial fibrillation, cerebrovascular disease, and moderate persistent asthma, stated that ants were found in her bed and that she developed bites on her upper back, neck, and left arm. Nursing documentation described a rash or papules on the left shoulder/back with itching, and hydrocortisone cream was applied. A skin/wound note described small, slightly red papules in a scattered cluster pattern and stated the resident believed the area was related to bug bites, but there was no further documentation of assessment by the physician in the record. Staff interviews confirmed ants had been seen in the resident’s room and on her mattress, and the resident’s daughter provided photographs showing multiple distinct raised papules on the resident’s upper back, shoulder, and arm. The facility further failed to ensure a speech and language evaluation was arranged for a resident with dysphagia and diet concerns. The resident was moderately cognitively impaired and had an order for a regular diet with mechanical soft ground texture. The resident told staff she did not like the consistency of the meat and said she had been told by the RD that she would have an SLP evaluation regarding a diet change, but no one had followed up. The RD documented that the resident continued to complain about her diet and requested to speak with the SLP to downgrade her diet, and the plan was to request SLP to speak with the resident. However, the medical record contained no SLP documentation showing that the evaluation occurred, and interviews with the NP, SLP, DON, and RD confirmed there was no documentation of an SLP assessment or waiver related to the resident’s diet preference.
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