Failure to Provide Ordered Wound Vac Therapy and Consistent Wound Care Resulting in Septic Shock
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide ordered wound care and monitor a complex stage IV sacral pressure ulcer, resulting in deterioration of the wound and subsequent hospitalization for septic shock and osteomyelitis. The resident was admitted with multiple wounds, including a stage IV sacral ulcer and a right buttock wound, and required assistance with personal care. Hospital records at admission documented deep decubitus ulcers, debridement with clean borders, placement of a wound vac, and a plan for a wound clinic follow-up in two weeks. The facility’s admission assessment noted wounds on the right iliac crest, left inner ankle, right outer ankle, and sacrum but did not include measurements or wound type descriptions for each area. The care plan identified risk for impaired skin integrity and set a goal for improvement with interventions such as pressure redistribution and reevaluation of treatment when there was no improvement. Following admission, the facility did not consistently follow wound vac orders or ensure timely dressing changes. The Treatment Administration Record (TAR) for the sacral wound vac showed missing or incomplete documentation on multiple dates, including entries marked only as “see progress note” or left blank, and a hold on the wound vac from 12/29 to 12/31. Progress notes on 12/26 and 12/29 documented that wound vac supplies were reportedly unavailable and that attempts to change the wound vac dressing could not be completed due to lack of supplies. On 12/29, when the dressing was removed, nursing staff observed the right buttock wound down to bone, necrotizing tissue between buttock wounds, and a red, hot peri-wound area with odor. The former DON instructed staff to switch to wet-to-dry dressings and contact the wound clinic, and a nurse texted the NP about changing the dressing to wet-to-dry. However, there was no documented provider order authorizing the change from wound vac to wet-to-dry, and the NP later stated she had not recommended changing the wound vac orders and expected the wound vac to continue. Throughout this period, wound assessments and treatments were inconsistently documented and some wounds lacked any treatment orders. Wound measurements on 12/24 and 12/31 showed stage IV wounds to the right buttock and sacrum with granulation, slough, odor, rolled edges, tunneling, and undermining, but there were no treatment orders in the TAR for the right ankle, left ankle, or right leg wounds. TAR entries for other wound locations, such as the left hip and right posterior ribs, also had missing documentation or notes that did not explain why treatments were held. One LPN documented “No wound care this shift” on 12/31 to remove the task from her list and acknowledged that she commonly skipped treatments due to workload, with no way to verify if another nurse completed the care. Another LPN documented only a period in progress notes where treatment status should have been recorded and could not recall whether treatments were missed. Staff interviews revealed that nurses believed they were out of wound vac supplies, while the clinical care coordinator and former DON stated supplies were available in storage. The medical records staff and several clinical leaders were unaware of the hospital’s order for a wound clinic follow-up on 1/1, and the resident did not attend that appointment; the facility instead submitted a referral on 12/31 and scheduled a later clinic date. During this time, multiple staff and the resident’s family observed a decline in the resident’s condition, including increased confusion, combativeness, need for more assistance, and inability to feed himself. The family member reported noticing confusion at a care conference, being told the facility would follow up, and later being informed by a nurse that the sacral dressing had not been changed because the facility was waiting on supplies. The family continued to voice concerns about the resident’s decline and the worsening wound, and a nurse called the family to report that the wound looked worse and that the wound vac was off while waiting for the wound doctor. Progress notes documented increased drainage, foul odor, surrounding warmth, and edema of the sacral wound on multiple dates, as well as green/yellow drainage and increased tenderness on 1/6. The NP acknowledged being aware of concerns about bone in the sacral area and an abnormal CRP but stated she was not told the wound was hot to touch. On 1/8, the NP noted the resident did not look good and was not eating and ordered transfer to the hospital for altered mental status and possible infection. Hospital records from that date described septic shock from a necrotic sacral ulcer with osteomyelitis, bacteremia, and a large unstageable coccyx/sacral wound with exposed bone, necrotic tissue, circumferential undermining, erythema, and odor, along with additional unstageable or deep tissue injuries on the legs and ankle, confirming the deterioration that occurred while the resident was under the facility’s care.
Penalty
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Failure to provide proper pressure injury care for two residents. One resident with a coccyx pressure injury had an ordered daily dressing change missed, and the MAR lacked a clear reason for the omission. Another resident had a documented heel pressure injury, but the record lacked measurements, staging, wound description, preventive measures, and treatment. The DON confirmed the ordered care was not followed, and an RN confirmed the second resident did not receive proper pressure injury treatment.
A resident with a TLSO brace and limited mobility developed a worsening buttock pressure ulcer that was not fully assessed, not promptly communicated for treatment changes, and not consistently covered by timely antibiotic therapy while infection and pain were documented. The wound later deteriorated with tunneling, necrotic tissue, and a new coccyx pressure ulcer that progressed to Stage IV with osteomyelitis after hospital transfer. A second resident had pressure-related skin breakdown with delayed wound assessments and treatment orders, no added individualized care plan interventions, and a CNA provided care without gown and gloves despite EBP being in place.
Failure to Provide Ordered Heel Offloading and Pressure Injury Care: Multiple residents with diabetes, CKD, hemiplegia, COPD, and existing pressure injuries were found without ordered heel offloading devices or proper repositioning. Physician orders for bunny boots or Heelz Up support were not reflected in the aides’ Kardex/point-of-care instructions, and staff observed residents lying low in bed with heels against the footboard or mattress, with one resident reporting heel pain and another stating he had been asking for help for hours.
Failure to provide ordered wound vac treatment for a resident with a stage IV sacral pressure ulcer. The resident’s CRNP ordered NPWT at 125 mmHg with dressing changes twice weekly, but the device had problems, was removed, and the TAR showed changes only once weekly instead of as ordered. The wound care nurse and DON confirmed the ordered treatment was not provided as directed.
A resident with DM, a stage 4 sacral PI, and diabetic foot ulcers did not receive documented daily skin checks despite being at high risk for skin breakdown. The care plan called for skin observation every shift, but the DON confirmed there were no Daily Body Check records for several days, and the WCNP stated the resident’s condition required daily assessment to detect early skin impairment.
A resident with a stage 2 coccyx wound and severe cognitive impairment did not receive ordered wound care as the Wound Care Nurse applied triad paste without first cleaning the wound bed. The resident was incontinent of urine and bowel, and the DON and Wound Care Doctor both stated the wound should have been cleaned before treatment was applied.
Failure to Provide Proper Pressure Injury Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure proper treatment of pressure injuries for two residents. One resident was admitted with malnutrition, cancer, and chronic pain, and had an impaired skin integrity care plan for a coccyx pressure injury with goals that the ulcer would not increase in size and would not show signs of infection. Physician orders directed daily cleansing with normal saline, application of Santyl, calcium alginate, and a dry dressing. During a dressing change observation, the old coccyx dressing was found dated 8/3/26, and the LPN confirmed that the dressing change ordered for 8/4/26 had not been completed. The MAR also showed the dressing was not changed on 8/4/26 and was marked as other, with no explanation documented for why the ordered treatment was not provided. A second resident was admitted with pneumonitis, stroke, and hemiplegia, and the admission observation documented a pressure injury/ulcer on the left heel. However, the clinical record did not include measurements, stage, wound description, preventive measures, or treatment for the heel pressure injury. The facility policy required pressure injuries to be assessed initially and at least weekly, with documentation of location, stage, size, drainage, pain, wound bed, surrounding tissue, infection, and treatment orders. An RN confirmed the facility failed to make certain the resident received proper treatment for the pressure injury.
Failure to monitor and treat worsening pressure ulcers
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure timely antibiotic therapy and wound monitoring for a resident with a worsening left buttock pressure ulcer, and the resident later developed a coccyx pressure ulcer with infection and severe pain. The resident had a recent vertebral fracture, wore a TLSO brace, and had dementia, hypertension, anxiety, depression, and spinal stenosis. The record shows an abrasion to the left buttock was identified, but no Risk Management Assessment or Skin-Other Assessment was completed for that wound, and the assistant director of nursing confirmed the facility was not completing the expected skin assessments. The same resident later developed a right heel wound, and the care plan was not updated with individualized interventions after the wounds were identified. The left buttock wound worsened and was debrided, with odor, moderate purulent drainage, and signs of infection documented. A wound culture was obtained, and an antibiotic order for ciprofloxacin was entered with a scheduled start date, but the medication administration record did not show antibiotic therapy for several days while the wound continued to show infection. The wound culture results were received, but the nurse practitioner stated the results were not reviewed until later, when a different antibiotic was prescribed. The medical director stated staff should have notified the physician when the antibiotic course ended and the wound still showed signs of infection and increased pain. The resident reported significant pain during wound care, and staff notified the ADON. The wound continued to deteriorate, with later documentation of tunneling, necrotic tissue, and a new coccyx pressure ulcer that progressed to Stage IV with osteomyelitis after hospital transfer. The resident’s power of attorney stated the resident was unable to reposition independently and believed repositioning was not consistently completed because it caused pain. The ADON stated the facility could not locate documentation of spinal precautions or movement limitations related to the TLSO brace, and staff acknowledged the resident could only be repositioned slightly with pillow support. The resident was ultimately transferred to the hospital for wound tunneling and possible infection, and the hospital record documented IV antibiotics, wound debridement, and a diagnosis of osteomyelitis associated with a Stage IV sacral pressure ulcer. For the second resident, the record showed pressure-related skin problems on admission and after hospitalization, but wound measurements, wound assessments, and physician notification were not documented until later. Treatment orders for the coccyx and left buttock wounds were not entered until several days after the wounds were identified, and the care plan did not include additional individualized interventions after the wounds were found. The resident was also placed on Enhanced Barrier Precautions, but during observation a CNA entered the room and provided care without gown or gloves, and later confirmed PPE should have been worn and that the resident was on EBP.
Failure to Provide Ordered Heel Offloading and Pressure Injury Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to make certain residents were provided necessary treatments and services, consistent with professional standards of practice, to treat and/or prevent pressure ulcers for four residents. The report states that the facility policy required prevention of avoidable pressure injuries and treatment to heal pressure ulcers, prevent infection, and prevent additional pressure injuries. Review of records, observations, and staff interviews showed that ordered heel offloading and protective devices were not consistently included in care instructions available to nursing assistants, and residents were observed without the ordered pressure-relief measures in place. Resident R1 had diabetes and dementia and was assessed as very high risk for pressure ulcers. Although the care plan directed staff to administer treatments and follow prevention protocols, it did not include information on bunny boots. A physician ordered offloading boots to both heels while in bed every shift, but the TAR listed this as an informational order for licensed nurses, and the Kardex for nurse aides did not include the instruction until later. A practitioner noted open wound/breakdown with blanching discoloration of the heels and recommended side-to-side offloading and heel offloading per protocol. Later, the wound nurse documented that the resident had been complaining of heel discomfort, was not wearing bunny boots, had a boggy right heel, and had a deep tissue injury on the left heel. Resident R2 had diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and an unstageable pressure ulcer, and was at moderate risk for pressure ulcers. The care plan required turning and repositioning at least every two hours, and the physician ordered bunny boots to both heels at all times while in bed and turning/repositioning every two hours. The Kardex did not include instruction for staff to assist with bunny boots. During observation, the resident was found lying low in bed with heels directly atop the wooden footboard and stated that his heels hurt. He said he had been asking since 9:30 for help, and a later observation showed he was still positioned on his back. Resident R3 had diabetes and hemiplegia following a stroke, was totally dependent on staff to roll left and right in bed, and had multiple pressure injuries including a Stage 3, a Stage 4, and three deep tissue pressure injuries. The care plan directed staff to elevate heels and assist with turning and repositioning, and the physician ordered heels floated while in bed with bunny boots on at all times. The Kardex included heel elevation but not bunny boots. During observation, the resident was lying low in bed with the left foot pressed directly against the footboard, only the right foot had a bunny boot, and staff walked past without assisting him to relieve pressure on the foot. A later observation showed him still positioned on his back. Resident R4 had COPD, muscle wasting, and a leg fracture. Progress notes documented deep tissue injuries to both heels, then a Stage 2 pressure injury on the left heel and a deep tissue injury on the right heel. The physician ordered bilateral heel offloading on a Heelz Up pillow while in bed, but the Kardex did not include instruction for staff to assist with use of the Heelz Up pillow or a regular pillow. During observation, the resident’s heels were directly on the mattress without a Heelz Up pillow or other pillow in use, no additional pillow was available in the room, and staff walked past without assisting to relieve pressure on the foot. A later observation showed the heels still were not elevated.
Failure to Provide Ordered Wound Vac Treatment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide proper treatment for a stage IV sacral pressure ulcer for one resident. The resident had diagnoses including cancer, depression, and a stage IV sacral pressure ulcer, and the care plan directed staff to administer treatments as ordered and monitor effectiveness. A wound care consult on 6/8/26 documented that the Certified Nurse Practitioner ordered wound vac therapy at continuous pressure of 125 mmHg with dressing changes twice a week, and the resident’s wound vac had been ordered but was still pending arrival at that time. A follow-up wound care consult on 6/11/26 documented that the wound vac had arrived and was applied, but nursing had difficulty with the device because it produced an error code and beeped throughout the night. Nursing removed the wound vac and used saline-moistened gauze with a dry dressing daily afterward. The physician order entered on 6/12/26 directed wound vac therapy dressings three times a week and as needed, with attachment at 125 mmHg every Monday, but the June 2026 Treatment Administration Record showed the wound vac was changed only on 6/15/26 and 6/22/26. The wound care nurse confirmed the consultant had ordered changes twice a week, but the resident’s wound vac was changed only once a week, and the ADON and DON confirmed the facility failed to provide the wound care treatment as ordered.
Failure to Complete Daily Skin Checks for a High-Risk Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to assess and complete daily skin checks for one resident who was at high risk for pressure injuries. The resident had a history that included type 2 diabetes mellitus, a stage 4 sacral pressure injury, and a diabetic foot ulcer. The Minimum Data Set showed severely impaired cognitive skills for daily decision making, substantial to total assistance needs for multiple activities of daily living, and that the resident was at risk for pressure injuries with unhealed pressure injury and diabetic foot ulcers. During record review and interviews, the treatment nurse confirmed the resident’s care plan called for observing the skin for redness, circulatory problems, and skin checks every shift. The wound care nurse practitioner stated the resident’s daily skin check should have been done because the resident had diabetes, poor circulation, limited mobility, and poor nutrition, and that non-blanchable heel redness would not develop overnight. The DON reviewed the Daily Body Check Report worksheets and confirmed there were no records for the resident from 2/11/2026 through 2/16/2026, stating that if there were no records, no assessment or skin checks were done. The DON also stated the facility policy required daily skin observation during routine care and weekly skin checks by the licensed nurse, and that the policy was not followed.
Failure to Clean Coccyx Wound Before Applying Treatment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident with a stage 2 coccyx wound received necessary treatment and services consistent with professional standards of practice to promote healing and prevent infection. The resident had multiple diagnoses including overactive bladder, muscle wasting and atrophy, contractures of multiple sites, osteoarthritis, heart failure, and cerebral infarction. The annual MDS reflected a BIMS score of 4, indicating severely impaired cognition, and the resident was always incontinent of urine and bowel. The care plan included treatment for the coccyx wound, and the physician ordered cleansing the coccyx with normal saline, patting it dry, and applying triad paste daily. During wound care observation, the Wound Care Nurse and Wound Care Doctor entered the resident's room, positioned the resident on his right side, and opened the brief. The wound area on the coccyx was described as a small open area that was pale pink in color. The Wound Care Nurse applied triad paste to the coccyx area without cleaning the wound bed first. In interview, the Wound Care Nurse stated she should have cleaned the wound before applying the paste and said not doing so placed the resident at risk for infection. The DON and Wound Care Doctor both stated the wound should have been cleaned before treatment was applied.
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