F0726

G

Failure to Continue CPR for Full-Code Resident Until EMS Arrival

Huntington Beach, California Survey Completed on 02-05-2026

Penalty

Fine: $25,47013 days payment denial

Summary

The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure that nursing staff with documented BLS/CPR competencies provided appropriate and continued emergency care to a full-code resident. Facility policies required that all nursing staff meet competency requirements per state law and that staff certified in CPR/BLS initiate and continue CPR for unresponsive individuals without normal breathing unless a DNR order exists or there are obvious signs of irreversible death. The facility’s CPR policy and cited clinical references emphasized that chest compressions are the cornerstone of CPR, that compressions and ventilations should continue in cycles until an AED is available or additional help arrives, and that compressions should only be stopped when the person speaks, moves, or breathes normally or when help takes over.

Resident 7 was admitted with orders indicating full code status, including a POLST specifying “Attempt Resuscitation/CPR” and “Full Treatment” as the primary goal. On the date of the event, documentation in the resident’s eInteract SBAR and progress notes showed the resident was found on the floor next to the bed, unresponsive to verbal and tactile stimuli, with asystole and absence of respirations. CPR was initiated and 911 was called. The notes indicated that after approximately 20 minutes of CPR, return of spontaneous circulation was achieved and care was assumed, and that the fire department arrived and continued CPR and lifesaving measures for another 20 minutes. The resident’s medical record did not contain documentation of vital signs at the time staff believed spontaneous circulation had been achieved.

The fire department’s electronic patient care report documented that responders arrived to find the resident on the ground, pulseless, apneic, and without compressions being performed, and that manual compressions were then initiated, BVM with high-flow oxygen was administered, and defibrillation pads were applied, with the rhythm noted as PEA. The emergency department record later documented that the resident died in the ED. In interviews, the Fire Captain stated that staff reported they had provided CPR for about 20 minutes, believed the heart rate had returned, and stopped compressions while waiting for paramedics.

In interviews with facility staff, LVN 4 stated the resident was unresponsive with no pulse, and that CPR was started immediately, with LVN 5 performing compressions and RN 3 providing ventilations via Ambu bag. LVN 4 reported that after about 20 minutes of CPR, the resident’s pulse returned and RN 3 instructed staff to stop CPR while waiting for paramedics. RN 3 stated that she and LVN 5 initiated CPR when they found the resident unresponsive and pulseless, with LVN 5 doing compressions and RN 3 providing breaths, and that a pulse was achieved before the fire department arrived; however, she also stated the resident had no blood pressure and remained unconscious. LVN 5 reported finding the resident on the floor, with no pulse oximeter reading, and that RN 3 confirmed no pulse or respirations; he described performing compressions while RN 3 provided breaths, then stopping compressions after 18–20 minutes when a carotid pulse was obtained, even though the resident remained unconscious, was barely breathing, and had no blood pressure for approximately 5–7 minutes while they waited for paramedics.

Review of staff records showed that LVN 4 and LVN 5 had documented competencies for emergency equipment and current BLS Provider certification, and RN 3 had documented competencies in emergency equipment, emergency responses, and CPR, along with an RQI Healthcare Provider BLS certificate demonstrating competence in high-quality CPR skills. Despite these documented competencies and the facility’s CPR policy, LVNs 4 and 5 and RN 3 did not continue life-saving measures for the resident, as they stopped chest compressions while the resident remained unconscious, barely breathing, and without a blood pressure reading, and before EMS personnel arrived and took over resuscitation. The facility acknowledged through the DON’s interview that the expectation was for licensed nurses to continue CPR until the fire department arrived and assumed care.