Care Plan Not Updated for Resident’s Increased Depression and Suicidal Statements
Summary
The facility did not ensure that R5’s care plan was revised to reflect changes in mood and increased depression, and it did not direct staff in providing necessary care and services. R5 was admitted with diagnoses including type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, prostate cancer, and weakness. R5’s 9/9/25 MDS PHQ-9 score was 01, indicating no or minimal depression, and the most recent quarterly MDS documented intact cognition with a BIMS score of 14/15. On 12/15/25, R5’s PHQ-9 score increased to 10, indicating moderate depression. Social service documentation noted that R5 reported little interest in doing things, feeling depressed, trouble sleeping, feeling tired, and thoughts that he would be better off dead but would not hurt himself. The note also documented that talk therapy was offered, and communication occurred with the MD, resident, DPOA, guardian, and dietary on the plan of care, but behavior and mood were not addressed in the care plan or treatment record. Subsequent documentation showed continued concerns about R5’s mood and suicidal statements. On 12/21/25, the medical record noted that R5 reminisced with a nurse, described past depression and thoughts of suicide, and stated the holidays were a difficult time; q shift behavioral monitoring for 7 days was initiated. On 12/22/25, R5 expressed depression about being in the nursing home and not being home, and staff encouraged him to focus on enjoyable activities and achievable goals. The treatment record for 12/21/25, 12/22/25, 12/23/25, 12/24/25, and 12/27/25 documented no comments or behaviors noted. A late entry on 2/14/26 recorded that R5 stated, "I pay you enough to do just enough so I don't kill myself," and staff documented that he denied current safety or self-harm concerns and said the statement was made out of frustration. During survey interviews on 2/17/26, R5 told the surveyor he had contemplated suicide and had verbalized a plan to get narcotics, and he reported speaking with facility staff including the social worker. The SW designee/CNA and DON were interviewed, and the DON stated the issue had been addressed through the 7-day behavioral monitoring, but the care plan still did not address R5’s change in condition or include interventions for monitoring behaviors or awareness of suicidal thoughts.
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