Failure to Obtain Ordered STAT Chest X-Ray
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to obtain a STAT chest x-ray as ordered for one resident, resulting in noncompliance with its policy to provide or obtain timely diagnostic services. A nurse practitioner documented on 2/5/26 that the resident had an acute cough and, due to a history of chronic bronchitis and pneumonia, ordered a STAT chest x-ray, entering the order into the computer and verbally informing the nurse. The nurse practitioner later stated she had not seen any x-ray results and did not know if the x-ray had been completed. The DON explained that the facility’s process for a STAT x-ray requires the nurse to call the x-ray provider, who typically performs the x-ray within four hours with same-day results, but she was unable to find any evidence that the x-ray had been performed. The facility’s Laboratory and Diagnostic Services and Reporting Policy requires that laboratory and diagnostic services, including radiology, be provided or obtained when ordered and that nurses carry out such orders per facility protocol.
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