Failure to Implement Non-Pharmacologic Pain Interventions for Resident with Spinal Fracture
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide non-pharmacologic pain management interventions for a resident with acute pain related to a wedge compression fracture of the second lumbar vertebra. The resident’s MDS assessments documented moderately to severely impaired cognition, receipt of PRN pain medications, and use of non-medication pain interventions during one assessment period, but no scheduled or PRN pain medications and no non-medication pain interventions during a subsequent look-back period. The resident reported occasional pain with the worst pain rated as eight out of ten in the prior five days and received opioid medication during the seven-day look-back period. The care plan, revised 03/31/26, directed staff to use alternative pain management methods such as massage, aromatherapy, warm packs, and distraction, and the physician’s orders included PRN ibuprofen and hydrocodone-acetaminophen for pain. Despite these orders and care plan directions, observations showed the resident tearful, with clenched fists and facial grimacing while seated in the dining room, and again with facial grimacing and audible indicators of pain during a transfer from wheelchair to recliner requiring extensive assistance. The MAR documented pain scores ranging from one to seven, with staff administering ordered pain medications and documenting effective results, but there was no evidence that non-pharmacologic interventions were offered or implemented. CNAs interviewed stated the resident often complained of pain after a fall and had a lot of hip pain, and that nurses would give pain medication, but they were not aware of any non-pharmacologic pain interventions being used for this resident. An administrative nurse stated that, in addition to scheduled and PRN pain medications, staff were expected to attempt non-pharmacologic pain interventions and acknowledged the facility did not have an actual pain management policy, relying instead on a standard of care.
We Help Long-Term Care Teams Stay Survey-Ready
We process and analyze inspection reports and plan of correction using AI to extract insights and trends so providers can improve care quality and stay ahead of compliance risks.