Failure to assess, document, and notify physician for low blood glucose readings
Summary
The facility failed to assess, document, and notify physicians of decreased capillary blood glucose (CBG) levels for two residents with diabetes. The report states that the facility policy for hypoglycemia management required residents at risk for hypoglycemia to be observed for signs and symptoms of low blood glucose, to follow the hypoglycemic protocol when blood glucose was 70 mg/dl or below, to recheck blood glucose as indicated, to notify the practitioner as ordered, and to document the blood sugar and treatment per facility protocol. One resident had diagnoses including diabetes, dementia, and depression. The resident’s orders included Humalog sliding scale insulin with instruction to initiate hypoglycemic protocol for CBG 0-70, but the resident’s orders did not include an ordered hypoglycemic protocol. The record showed CBG readings of 69 and 61 on separate occasions. The eMAR and progress notes indicated the resident was not assessed for hypoglycemia, the blood glucose was not monitored for effectiveness of treatment, and the physician order for hypoglycemic protocol was not followed. The resident’s care plan included monitoring, documenting, and reporting signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia. The second resident had diagnoses including diabetes, high blood pressure, and a history of falling. Orders included an oral hypoglycemic protocol, glucagon emergency injection kit for hypoglycemia, and Humalog sliding scale insulin with instruction to initiate hypoglycemic protocol for CBG 0-70. The record showed multiple low CBG readings, including 34, 62, 57, 59, 37, 67, 66, 53, 68, 67, 49, 53, and 66. The eMAR progress notes showed glucagon was given on two occasions, with follow-up CBGs of 168, but the resident was not assessed for hypoglycemia, the blood glucose was not monitored for effectiveness of treatment, and the physician was not notified of abnormal results. One low CBG reading of 67 had no documentation noted. Staff interviews reflected varying understanding of when to treat, when to notify the physician, and what to document. The DON confirmed the facility failed to notify the doctor of a change in condition, failed to document an assessment or interventions related to blood glucose, and failed to follow physician’s orders for both residents.
Penalty
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