Failure to Assess and Report Elevated Blood Pressure
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide treatment and care in accordance with professional standards of practice and facility policy after an elevated blood pressure reading for one resident. The resident was admitted with diagnoses including hypertension and heart failure and had intact cognitive skills and decision-making capacity. The resident was dependent on staff for several ADLs, including toileting, bathing, and lower body dressing. On review of the Vital Signs Record, the resident’s blood pressure increased from a prior reading of 128/75 mmHg to 168/77 mmHg on 2/27/2026. There was no documentation of any reassessment, repeat blood pressure measurement, or physician notification following this elevated reading. Progress notes contained no change in condition documentation related to the elevated blood pressure. During interview, the LVN who obtained the 168/77 mmHg reading confirmed that the physician was not notified and that no reassessment, repeat blood pressure, or change in condition documentation was completed. The ADON, upon review of the records, confirmed the absence of reassessment, change of condition documentation, and physician notification, and stated that staff were expected to assess residents, monitor vital signs, and notify the physician for changes in condition, and that a change from 128/75 mmHg to 168/77 mmHg required assessment and documentation even if the resident denied symptoms. The facility’s blood pressure policy indicated hypertensive readings should be reported to the physician and that staff should document and evaluate findings, which was not followed in this case.
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