F0684

E

Failure to Provide and Document Ordered Wound Care and Weekly Skin Assessments

Cassville, Missouri Survey Completed on 02-24-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide and document wound care and weekly skin assessments according to physician orders, facility policy, and standards of practice for multiple residents with skin conditions and wounds. Facility policies required evidence-based wound treatments per physician orders, weekly and as-needed wound assessments, and complete documentation of wound characteristics and treatments on the TAR or in the electronic health record. Policies also required weekly skin assessments by licensed nurses, use of a weekly schedule for skin checks, and documentation of wound status each shift when no treatment was due. Interviews with nursing leadership and staff confirmed that if care was not documented, it was considered not done, and that there should not be blank spaces on the TAR.

For one resident with diffuse traumatic brain injury, peripheral vascular disease, and dermatitis, the MDS showed severe cognitive impairment and risk for pressure injuries, and the care plan identified fragile skin and potential for skin impairment. This resident had physician orders for a light two-layer compression wrap to the left lower extremity, later revised to include cleansing with wound cleanser and continued compression wraps. The TAR for February showed multiple dates where these ordered treatments were not documented as completed, and there were no nursing notes indicating that wound care was not provided or was refused. The ADON’s wound measurement list contained no measurements for this resident, and no weekly skin assessment was documented, despite observations of undated wraps on both lower legs and subsequent wound physician notes describing bilateral stasis dermatitis and recommendations for doppler testing and continued wrapping.

For another resident with CHF, an infected right lower extremity amputation stump, and an open wound on the right lower leg, the weekly skin observation documented multiple existing skin issues, including a wound vac to the right stump and ulcers and scabs on the left lower extremity and foot. The care plan required weekly skin assessments, wound treatments as ordered, and weekly skin audits by a licensed nurse. The wound care provider documented a skin tear on the left lateral calf present on admission, and the admission MDS showed the resident was cognitively intact, at risk for pressure injuries, and had open lesions and a surgical wound. Physician orders directed daily dressing changes to the left lower extremity and daily dressing changes to the right stump incision. The February TAR showed several days where these treatments were not documented as completed. The ADON’s wound measurement list showed an improved left calf wound, and observation with the wound physician and DON revealed undated bandages on the right stump and left lower leg, with the left leg wound improved and new orders initiated.

A third resident with acute and chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia, COPD, and end stage renal disease had a quarterly MDS indicating cognitive intactness, risk for pressure injuries, and no open wounds at that time, with substantial to moderate assistance needed for ADLs. Later physician orders directed cleansing and dressing of venous wounds on both lower extremities three times per week and as needed, and then daily cleansing and skin prep to the right lower leg. The February TAR showed multiple dates where these ordered treatments were not documented as completed. Nursing progress notes contained no documentation of wound care not being provided or refused, and no weekly skin assessments were noted. Wound physician notes documented full-thickness venous wounds on both legs with specific measurements and no signs of infection, and later measurements showed changes in wound size. Observations showed the resident’s bilateral lower legs wrapped with undated gauze, and during wound rounds the DON removed undated dressings, revealing a scabbed right leg and a draining left leg wound.

Another resident with COPD, CHF, cardiac arrhythmias, chronic kidney disease, and mitral insufficiency had a care plan identifying risk for impaired skin integrity and requiring weekly skin assessments and reporting of issues to the physician. Physician orders directed daily cleansing of facial sutures from a skin cancer excision with antibacterial soap and water, removal of crusts, and application of Bacitracin with a nonadherent dressing for two weeks on the evening shift. The February TAR showed that this treatment was documented on only two dates, with several ordered days lacking documentation. During an observation and interview, the resident reported recent skin cancer removal from the face and concern that staff were not treating and bandaging the area daily; at that time, the resident had no bandage on the face. The quarterly MDS indicated moderate cognitive impairment, open lesions requiring non-surgical dressings and ointments, and dependence on staff for transfers, bed mobility, and showers.

Interviews with nursing staff and leadership confirmed systemic issues with completing and documenting wound care and weekly skin assessments. An LPN reported that residents had complained that wound care was not completed at times and that some days it was difficult to complete all resident care. An RN stated that nurses were responsible for weekly wound assessments using a binder schedule, that the TAR showed when wound care was due, and that if care was not charted it was considered not done; the RN would not expect to see gaps on the TAR without notes or handoff in report. The ADON acknowledged monitoring wound tracking, stated that dressings should be dated and documented on the TAR, and admitted that some days wound care was not charted even though he/she believed it was done, and that he/she had been doing most wound care until floor nurses took over. The DON stated that floor nurses complete weekly skin assessments, that TARs should always be completed including refusals, and that she had not been able to audit TARs weekly due to staffing issues. The Medical Director, primary care physician, wound physician, and Administrator all stated that staff were expected to follow physician orders and document care, and that if it was not documented, it was considered not done.