Failure to Provide Effective Post‑Operative Pain Management for a Surgical Resident
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide effective pain management, including administration of ordered analgesics and related medications, for a post‑operative resident with severe spinal surgery pain. The resident had undergone complex lumbar fusion surgery with hardware placement and was admitted with orders from the neurosurgeon for a multimodal pain regimen including oxycodone (5 mg for moderate pain and 10 mg for severe pain every 4 hours PRN), methocarbamol, Tylenol, a Lidoderm patch, and later Lyrica. The MDS documented almost constant pain, worst pain at 8/10 over the prior five days, frequent impact on sleep, and occasional impact on daily function. The resident’s care plan directed staff to administer pain medications per physician orders, evaluate pain and efficacy, monitor aggravating factors, and notify the MD if pain relief was inadequate or if interventions were unsuccessful. Despite these orders and care plan directives, facility staff and the NP altered and restricted the resident’s pain regimen without coordinating with the neurosurgeon and did not consistently administer pain medications as ordered. The NP discontinued the oxycodone 10 mg order and substituted tramadol 50 mg every 6 hours PRN, then intermittently re‑ordered and discontinued oxycodone 10 mg, ultimately reducing the resident to oxycodone 5 mg every 4 hours PRN plus tramadol. The neurosurgeon’s office documented that the resident reported difficulty obtaining pain medications as ordered and that staff at the facility did not want to administer them; the neurosurgeon’s office instructed the facility to “give meds as ordered” and noted the resident’s severe, expected post‑surgical pain. The facility did not contact the neurosurgeon’s office about reducing the pain medication, even though that office was the physician of record for pain management. Nursing staff actions further contributed to inadequate pain control. One RN refused to give pain medication even a few minutes early, including before a scheduled neurosurgical follow‑up, resulting in the resident traveling and waiting for transport without analgesia despite reporting significant pain. A night‑shift LPN repeatedly delayed or withheld ordered narcotic analgesics, told the resident it was “too soon” or that he could not be in that much pain, and did not promptly notify a provider when the resident reported severe, unrelieved pain at 10/10 and had low blood pressure. On the night before the resident called 911, the LPN acknowledged the resident’s reports of severe pain, low BP readings, and his requests to go to the hospital, but only administered tramadol once at 3:15 a.m. and left at least one voicemail without a message before finally speaking with the on‑call provider after the resident had already called 911. The resident, family member, neurosurgeon’s office nurse, and another night‑shift RN and CNA all described frequent severe pain, difficulty obtaining ordered pain medications, and the resident being awake much of the night due to pain, culminating in the resident calling 911 for transfer to the hospital for pain management. The facility’s own pain management policy required staff to advocate for pain management, avoid labeling and judging residents, treat pain early, and report pain scores of 5 or greater twice in 7 days or any single episode of 10/10 to a medical practitioner for possible treatment adjustment and IDT review. The resident’s MAR showed frequent pain scores of 7–10/10 and around‑the‑clock use of PRN opioids, yet staff did not consistently escalate concerns or adjust treatment in collaboration with the neurosurgeon. The DON later acknowledged that the night‑shift LPN believed the resident was “drug‑seeking” and therefore did not feel obligated to contact the MD about increased pain, and that it was unacceptable not to notify the physician when pain increased or when analgesics were withheld due to low BP. The NP also stated that staff should report increased or unrelieved pain and notify the provider when medications are withheld for altered vital signs unless parameters are specified. These documented inactions and deviations from orders and policy resulted in the resident experiencing ongoing severe pain, sleep disturbance, and ultimately calling 911 to obtain hospital‑based pain control. The resident’s experience was corroborated by multiple interviews. The resident reported having a very difficult time getting pain medication as ordered, described severe post‑surgical pain that was only partially relieved by oxycodone 10 mg, and recounted that a night‑shift nurse ignored or minimized his requests, told him it was too soon for medication, and delayed contacting the physician when his pain remained at 10/10 for several hours. The resident’s family member stated staff were not good about giving pain medication as prescribed, that the resident had to constantly ask and wait, and that this worsened his pain and anxiety. A CNA described the resident being up most of the night due to pain and repeatedly asking to go to the hospital. Another night‑shift RN confirmed the resident’s frequent pain scores of 7–10/10, non‑verbal signs of pain, and need for oxycodone 10 mg about every 4 hours, and stated he did not believe the resident was drug‑seeking. EMS and ED records documented the resident’s 10/10 back pain on arrival, the need for multiple IV and oral medications including strong opioids and non‑opioid agents, and that the resident had called 911 from the facility for pain management. The facility’s Administrator was initially unsure whether the resident’s pain had been addressed by the IDT as required by policy and later stated that the IDT recommended assessment by their provider, without providing a date. The facility’s pain policy also required reporting of significant pain episodes and IDT review, but the record did not show timely, effective IDT intervention in response to the resident’s persistent high pain scores and repeated complaints. Overall, the documented actions and inactions by the NP and nursing staff, including altering the neurosurgeon’s pain regimen without consultation, rigid timing and withholding of ordered analgesics, failure to promptly notify providers of severe, unrelieved pain and low BP, and failure to follow the facility’s own pain management policy, led to the resident experiencing inadequately managed post‑operative pain, sleep disturbance, and the need to seek emergency care by calling 911.
Penalty
Resources
Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:
The facility failed to follow pain management orders and policy for two residents. One resident with hydrocephalus, neuropathy, and chronic back pain received PRN oxycodone when documented pain scores were below the ordered 7-10 range. Another resident, who was cognitively intact after knee replacement surgery, received PRN oxycodone-acetaminophen multiple times without a documented pain score and without documentation of attempted non-pharmacological interventions before administration. The DON confirmed the findings.
A resident with chronic pain, dementia, and other diagnoses repeatedly requested PRN oxycodone-acetaminophen after being assisted to bed, while multiple CNAs alerted an RN that the resident was also making threatening comments. The RN addressed the behavior but did not complete a documented pain assessment, contact the provider, or give the opioid until hours later, after the resident reported being in agony and said the medication had been withheld because of her statements.
Failure to Document Non-Pharmacological Pain Interventions: Staff failed to document non-pharmacological pain measures before giving PRN analgesics to multiple residents. One resident received repeated Tylenol and oxycodone doses, another received multiple PRN oxycodone doses with a care plan calling for relaxation, guided imagery, music, distraction, and massage, and a third resident had a PRN Tylenol order and pain care plan but no documented evidence that non-drug interventions were attempted or effective.
Failure to Monitor and Treat Severe Pain After Ankle Injury: A resident with acute respiratory failure and COPD sustained an ankle injury while transferring to a wheelchair and reported severe pain rated 8/10 to 10/10. Staff applied ice, elevated the foot, and gave PRN acetaminophen, but the MAR documented it as ineffective and the resident continued to report severe pain for hours. An X-ray later showed an acute fracture, and the resident was not transferred to the ED until late that night after the delayed imaging result was obtained.
A resident with severe dementia, a BIMS of 3, and diagnoses including traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage, weakness, and difficulty walking was supposed to have pain assessed using nonverbal indicators and PAINAD. Instead, staff documented some pain assessments with a numerical pain scale even though the resident could not verbalize pain levels and was unable to answer questions during observation. The NP, DON, ADM, and nursing staff stated PAINAD was the expected tool for this resident, and the facility’s pain policy required a pain tool appropriate to cognitive status.
A resident with severe cognitive impairment, CVA, Alzheimer's disease, seizure disorder, and osteoporosis had pain that was not comprehensively assessed or consistently managed. Staff documented flinching, swelling, and reported pain, but did not record a pain intensity score or location, and PRN Tramadol was not given for one episode of left leg pain despite an existing order. On another occasion, Tramadol was administered for mild pain, but the assessment still did not identify the pain location, and an LPN stated the resident was not in pain without moving or touching the resident during the assessment.
Failure to Follow PRN Opioid Pain Medication Orders and Documentation Requirements
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide pain management in accordance with physician orders and its pain management policy for two residents. The policy required residents to be assessed for pain using an appropriate pain scale, to attempt non-pharmacological interventions before giving PRN pain medication, and to document medication administration and the resident’s response in the eMAR. The policy also directed staff to give the medication that matched the physician-ordered pain intensity when multiple PRN pain medications were available. Resident 30 was admitted with hydrocephalus, neuropathy, and chronic back pain. The physician ordered oxycodone HCl 5 mg every 4 hours as needed for severe breakthrough lower back pain rated 7 through 10. Review of the eMAR showed oxycodone was administered on three occasions when the documented pain ratings were 4, 5, and 6, which were below the ordered range for administration. Resident 47 was admitted after right total knee replacement surgery and had chronic kidney disease. A quarterly MDS dated June 4, 2026, showed the resident was cognitively intact with a BIMS score of 15. The physician ordered oxycodone-acetaminophen 5 mg/325 mg every 4 hours as needed for moderate to severe pain rated 4 through 10, but the eMAR showed multiple administrations without a documented pain rating and without documentation that non-pharmacological interventions were attempted before the medication was given. The DON reviewed the findings and confirmed the facility failed to ensure pain management was provided in accordance with physician orders, facility policy, and accepted standards of practice.
Delayed PRN opioid pain medication after repeated requests
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident with chronic pain when a nurse did not timely assess and administer a prescribed PRN opioid after repeated requests from the resident and alerts from multiple CNAs. Resident 33 had diagnoses including muscular dystrophy, major depressive disorder, moderate dementia without behavioral disturbance, and personality disorder, and her care plan identified chronic pain with a goal to remain free from pain or at a level of discomfort acceptable to her. Her physician orders included oxycodone-acetaminophen 7.5-325 mg every 6 hours as needed for moderate pain and acetaminophen 325 mg, 2 tablets every 8 hours as needed for pain. On the night of the incident, Resident 33 was assisted to bed and repeatedly requested her pain medication while also making statements about killing people with guns, a BB gun, a paint gun, and a water gun. Multiple CNAs reported both the resident’s statements and her request for pain medication to RN 1. RN 1 entered the room to address the threatening statements, but the resident became hostile and told the nurse to leave. Documentation showed no pain assessment, no contact with the provider or facility leadership, and no documented response to the resident’s repeated requests for pain medication at that time. Resident 33 did not receive pain medication until approximately 4:09 AM, more than 18 hours after the prior dose and more than 4 hours after the initial request during the night. The resident reported that she had been in agony for hours and that the nurse refused to give her the medication because of the statements she had made. CNA statements and RN 1’s own account confirmed that the resident asked for the medication multiple times before it was finally administered. The DON stated that pain must be treated subjectively based on the resident’s report and that if a nurse had safety concerns about giving a narcotic, the nurse must contact the on-call medical provider or facility clinical leadership for guidance.
Failure to Document Non-Pharmacological Pain Interventions
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to document attempts at non-pharmacological pain interventions before administering pain medications for multiple residents. For Resident #124, the record showed PRN orders for acetaminophen 325 mg, 2 tablets every 4 hours for pain 1-5, and oxycodone 10 mg every 4 hours for pain 6-10. The MAR showed repeated administration of Tylenol and oxycodone throughout June 2026, but review of the TAR and progress notes did not show documentation of non-pharmacological interventions before these medications were given. For Resident #18, the record showed active PRN oxycodone orders for moderate and severe pain, and the MAR showed multiple administrations of both strengths in June 2026. The care plan identified non-pharmacological approaches such as relaxation, guided imagery, music, distraction, and massage before, after, and if possible during painful activities or before pain occurs, but the record did not show documented evidence that these interventions were implemented before opioid administration. For Resident #10, the clinical record showed a PRN Tylenol order and a pain care plan with the same non-pharmacological approaches, but there was no evidence staff documented attempts at these interventions or whether they were successful.
Failure to Monitor and Treat Severe Pain After Ankle Injury
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to comprehensively monitor and implement appropriate interventions for a resident’s new onset and worsening pain in accordance with physician orders and facility policy. Resident 105 was admitted with acute respiratory failure and COPD, and her admission MDS showed she was cognitively intact with a BIMS score of 15. The facility’s pain policy stated that pain management should be provided consistent with professional standards, the care plan, and resident goals and preferences, and that pain should be reassessed at established intervals with revisions made if pain was not adequately controlled. On June 10, 2026, Resident 105 activated the call bell at about 4:30 AM and was observed halfway off the bed while trying to transfer to a wheelchair. She stated she struck her ankle on the wheelchair while attempting to go to the bathroom, could move the foot and ankle and wiggle her toes, and reported pain rated 10 out of 10. Staff applied ice, elevated the foot, and notified the nursing supervisor. At 5:40 AM, the resident reported continued pain radiating up the leg and requested acetaminophen. The MAR showed acetaminophen 650 mg was given for pain and documented as ineffective at 5:26 AM, and the pain level tab recorded pain ratings of 8 out of 10 at 4:30 AM, 10 out of 10 at 5:26 AM, and 10 out of 10 at 6:50 AM. A late-entry progress note at 9:00 AM documented left ankle pain with bruising, swelling, difficulty walking, and orders for an X-ray, therapy as needed, orthopedic follow-up as needed, acetaminophen, baclofen, and continued monitoring. The X-ray was performed at 4:51 PM and later reported an acute nondisplaced fracture of the left ankle/fibula. The resident remained in pain rated 8 out of 10 when transferred to the emergency department at 11:46 PM, and she stated during interview that she remained in severe pain until hospital transfer. The nursing supervisor stated she contacted the radiology provider around 11:00 PM to obtain the delayed X-ray results, then notified the on-call physician and initiated transfer after the fracture was confirmed. The NHA was unable to provide documented evidence of ongoing pain assessments or additional pain interventions between the injury and the transfer to the emergency department.
Improper Pain Assessment for Cognitively Impaired Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure safe, appropriate pain management for one resident who required pain services and had severe cognitive impairment. The resident was admitted with traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage, difficulty walking, lack of coordination, muscle weakness, and Alzheimer’s disease. Her quarterly MDS reflected a BIMS of 3, and her care plan identified her as at risk for pain and as rarely or never understanding in her ability to express ideas and wants. The order summary directed staff to assess pain every shift using non-verbal/noncognitive signs of pain because her pain intensity score could not be verbalized and she had a cognizant deficit. Review of the pain summary showed that on several dates staff assessed the resident’s pain using a numerical pain scale, while the remainder of the assessments from the same period were completed using PAINAD. During interview, the resident’s RP stated the resident had severe dementia, severe cognitive impairment, and diminished mental capacity, and was unable to verbalize or express pain levels. During observation, the resident was sitting in a wheelchair at the memory care unit nurse’s station and had a dark red laceration on the left side of her forehead with stitches; she was unable to answer questions when the surveyor attempted to interview her. The NP, DON, ADM, and nursing staff all stated they expected PAINAD or another nonverbal pain assessment tool to be used for this resident because she could not reliably report a numerical pain score. The DON and ADM were not aware that staff had used a numerical pain scale instead of PAINAD. The facility’s pain management policy stated that staff would observe for nonverbal indicators of pain and use a pain assessment tool appropriate for the resident’s cognitive status.
Incomplete Pain Assessment and PRN Pain Management
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to comprehensively and accurately assess and manage pain for one resident with severe cognitive impairment who was dependent on all ADLs and had diagnoses including CVA, Alzheimer's disease, seizure disorder, and osteoporosis. The facility's pain management policy required observation for physiologic and behavioral signs of pain and evaluation of pain intensity, description, pattern, location, and frequency/timing/duration, with documentation of the results of any medication intervention. The facility used the PAINAD tool for residents with advanced dementia, but the pain assessments documented for this resident did not include pain intensity or location. On one occasion, a licensed nurse documented that the resident had left hip pain, flinched when the left knee was touched, and had slight edema to the left knee; the physician was notified and ordered an ace wrap and elevation, but the assessment did not record a pain score. The resident had an existing PRN order for Tramadol 50 mg every six hours as needed for pain, yet the MAR showed no Tramadol was given for the left leg pain that day. On another occasion, Tramadol was administered for a pain level of 3, but the pain assessment did not identify the pain location. During interview, one nurse stated the resident was not in pain and admitted not touching or moving the resident during the assessment, despite the companion reporting pain when the resident was moved and repositioned.
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