Failure to Ensure Timely, Complete Dialysis Treatments and Adequate Transportation/Communication
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure that a resident requiring hemodialysis consistently received timely and complete dialysis treatments in accordance with professional standards of practice. The resident had end-stage renal disease, stage 5 chronic kidney disease, congestive heart failure, and acute respiratory failure with hypoxia, and was care planned as being at risk for complications due to ESRD and hemodialysis. The resident’s MDS documented continuous oxygen use and dialysis treatment, and the resident was cognitively intact with a BIMS score of 15. The dialysis center established a 5:30 a.m. chair time with a required 5:15 a.m. arrival and a 3.5‑hour treatment duration. The dialysis administrator reported multiple instances in March when the resident arrived late and started dialysis between 6:00 and 6:15 a.m., including one date when treatment did not start until 6:53 a.m. and ended at 9:11 a.m., resulting in a treatment of less than three hours. The dialysis administrator stated that facility staff more than once attempted to cancel or move the resident’s treatments and had to be told repeatedly that cancelling or skipping treatments was not an option. The administrator also stated that shortened treatments prevented full removal of toxins from the resident’s blood and that dialysis patients who miss or shorten treatments are at high risk of hospitalization. The resident’s nephrologist confirmed that the facility did not notify him of the shortened treatments, that even 10–15 minutes of missed treatment is clinically significant, and that repeated shortened treatments increase the risk of complications and hospitalization. Facility staff and family interviews revealed confusion and inconsistent practices around transportation and communication for dialysis. The facility administrator acknowledged that there was confusion about the resident’s required arrival time, initially believing 5:30 a.m. was the arrival time rather than the treatment start time, and that there was no dialysis communication book, only forms that were not consistently returned. CNAs and RNs reported issues with the facility van lift malfunctioning, causing late arrivals, and one CNA described general confusion about arrival time and destination. The resident and family members reported repeated lateness to dialysis, staff minimizing concerns, and staff comments characterizing the brother as “dramatic” for insisting on full dialysis treatments. The resident described being stuck in the van and being manually lifted out in his chair by two staff, resulting in a staff fall and a very late arrival to treatment. Documentation further showed gaps in monitoring and recordkeeping related to dialysis care. The facility could not provide reproducible evidence of which staff were responsible for transporting the resident to dialysis appointments. The Continuity of Care Document lacked a pretreatment weight for the resident on one of the key dates when transportation issues occurred, despite the facility’s own posted instructions that weight and vitals must be obtained prior to leaving for dialysis. Progress notes documented that on one date the resident arrived to dialysis at approximately 6:45 a.m. due to transportation issues and would receive only partial treatment. Subsequent notes described mild bilateral lower extremity edema, and emergency room records documented concern for fluid overload and possible pneumonia, with significantly elevated BNP and a diagnosis of acute hypoxic respiratory failure. The facility’s dialysis transfer agreement required the facility to arrange suitable transportation, and its ESRD policy stated that residents with ESRD would be cared for according to recognized standards of care, but the pattern of late and shortened treatments, transportation failures, incomplete communication, and lack of consistent documentation led to the resident experiencing fluid overload and hospitalization.
Penalty
Resources
Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:
A resident with ESRD, renal osteodystrophy, and dialysis dependence did not receive prescribed phosphorus binders as ordered. Velphoro was not given for an entire month and Sevelamer was given on only a few days, with charting repeatedly stating the meds were awaiting pharmacy delivery or unavailable. Staff gave inconsistent explanations, and the dialysis center manager stated the resident had not been receiving the meds as prescribed and that Sevelamer should have been discontinued.
A resident with ESRD, CHF, and DM2 had orders for dialysis three times weekly, and the care plan called for open communication with the dialysis center. However, multiple dialysis communication sheets were missing from the clinical record even though the MAR showed the resident went to dialysis on those visits, and the DON confirmed the records were absent.
Incomplete dialysis communication and access site monitoring: The facility failed to maintain complete dialysis communication records for three residents with ESRD or dialysis dependence, and failed to document ordered AV fistula checks for two residents. One resident had conflicting AV fistula orders, while another had repeated missing thrill and bruit documentation on the TAR. The DON and NHA confirmed the documentation failures.
A facility failed to complete required dialysis-related care for three residents receiving hemodialysis. For one resident, the AV shunt was not assessed and documented before and after dialysis on multiple occasions. For two other residents, ordered I&O monitoring was not consistently recorded each shift, and one resident’s CBC and BMP were completed monthly instead of weekly as ordered by the MD.
A resident with ESRD and diabetes received dialysis, but staff failed to monitor the dialysis access correctly after the resident’s access changed from a CVC in the right chest to an AV fistula in the left upper arm. Nursing staff documented checks for bleeding and post-dialysis status, but were not aware of the fistula, did not assess for bruit and thrill, and did not have direction to avoid BP checks on the access arm. The DON stated staff should know the correct access site and assess it based on the type and location of access.
The facility failed to provide consistent dialysis-related care for two residents with ESRD. One resident missed scheduled dialysis because transportation did not arrive, and staff did not complete the dialysis communication record with pre- and post-dialysis assessments. Another resident had missing dialysis sign-out documentation, a missing dialysis communication record entry, and exceeded a physician-ordered 1000 ml fluid restriction on multiple days, while staff and the resident stated the restriction was not known to them.
Missed Phosphorus Binder Medications for Dialysis Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure safe, appropriate dialysis-related care and medications were provided for a resident with end stage renal failure, renal osteodystrophy, disorders of phosphorus metabolism, and dependence on dialysis treatments. The resident had physician orders for Velphoro 500 mg daily and Sevelamer Carbonate 800 mg, 2 tablets with meals, both used to control phosphorus levels. The resident was admitted after hospitalization for multiple falls and generalized muscle weakness, and at discharge had a phosphorus level of 4.6, which was noted as high. Record review showed the resident did not receive Velphoro for the entire month of June 2026 and July 2026, and Sevelamer was administered on only seven of the 24 days the resident was present in June 2026. Progress notes repeatedly documented that the medication was awaiting pharmacy delivery or was not available, including multiple dates in June and July, and the MAR referenced missing doses as “see progress notes” without corresponding documentation. During interviews, a nurse stated she did not know why the medication had not been sent and had placed it on hold, while the pharmacy tech stated Velphoro was not received through the pharmacy and was available through the dialysis center. The dialysis center clinical manager stated she was unaware the resident had not been receiving the medication as prescribed, said Velphoro comes to the center and is then sent to the facility, and stated Sevelamer should have been discontinued.
Incomplete Dialysis Communication Records
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain complete and accurate dialysis communication records for one resident with end stage renal disease (ESRD), chronic systolic congestive heart failure, and diabetes mellitus type II. The resident had physician orders for dialysis treatments three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and the care plan included keeping open communication with the dialysis center. Facility policy stated that agreements with the contracted ESRD facility include how information will be exchanged between the facilities. Review of the resident’s dialysis treatment communication sheets showed multiple missing sheets for dialysis visits across March, April, May, and June 2026. Review of the MAR confirmed the resident went to dialysis on those dates. During interview, the DON confirmed the missing dialysis communication sheets were not present in the clinical record and stated that dialysis consult sheets should be completed with each dialysis treatment and kept in the record.
Incomplete dialysis communication and access site monitoring
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide consistent and complete communication with the dialysis center for three residents who required dialysis services. Resident R17 had ESRD, was ordered to receive hemodialysis Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and had a care plan calling for dialysis communication and monitoring of the AV fistula. The resident’s clinical record did not include complete dialysis communication forms on six dates between 5/1/26 and 6/22/26, and an LPN confirmed the missing documentation during interview. Resident R34 had ESRD and was ordered to send a communication binder to dialysis on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, with communication sheets completed upon return every day and evening shift; the dialysis communication record was incomplete on 6/9/26, 6/11/26, and 6/13/26. Resident R86 had quadriplegia, diabetes mellitus, and dependence on renal dialysis, with orders for dialysis Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and to send the dialysis communication book on dialysis days; the communication binder was incomplete on 6/10/26, 6/15/26, 6/20/26, and 6/22/26. The facility also failed to ensure accurate and complete monitoring of dialysis access sites for two residents. Resident R17 had conflicting physician orders identifying both right and left AV fistula monitoring, and the DON stated the resident had a fistula in the left arm and that the orders were updated to be accurate. The June 2026 TAR did not show documentation that the ordered AV fistula checks for bruit and thrill were completed or refused on multiple shifts. The DON confirmed the facility failed to ensure monitoring of Resident R17’s dialysis access site was accurate and complete. Resident R86 had a physician order for right AV fistula thrill checks every shift and bruit checks every shift, with notification to the physician if not present. The June 2026 TAR did not show documentation that thrill or bruit checks were signed off or refused on multiple daylight shifts and on two evening shifts. During interview, the DON confirmed the facility failed to document dialysis-specific care as ordered for Resident R86. The NHA and DON later confirmed that the facility failed to provide consistent and complete communication with the dialysis center for all three residents and failed to ensure access site monitoring was completed for two of the three residents.
Dialysis care, I&O monitoring, and ordered labs not completed
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide dialysis care and services in accordance with its policy for three residents receiving hemodialysis. For one resident with ESRD, anemia, and dementia, the care plan directed staff to assess the left upper arm AV shunt for redness, swelling, warmth, exudate, tenderness, bruit, thrill, and bleeding, and to document the resident’s condition before and after dialysis. The resident’s dialysis communication record showed that the AV shunt check was not completed on two post-dialysis dates and two pre-dialysis dates. During interviews, nursing staff stated the form was not filled out completely and that the access site should have been assessed and documented before leaving for dialysis and upon return. For a second resident with type 2 DM, ESRD, and dependence on renal dialysis, the care plan directed staff to monitor intake and output every shift. Review of the intake and output record and the electronic chart showed that urine output was not documented for one overnight shift. Nursing staff confirmed there was no documented urine output for that shift and that it should have been recorded per the care plan and facility policy. For a third resident with ESRD, dependence on renal dialysis, and anemia, the care plan directed staff to monitor intake and output every shift and to complete laboratory testing as ordered. Review of the records showed multiple shifts with no documented output, and the resident’s CBC and BMP were completed monthly rather than weekly as ordered. Nursing staff and the DON stated the resident should have had I&O monitoring every shift and weekly labs completed as ordered, and that the order should have been followed or clarified with a new order.
Dialysis Access Monitoring Not Performed Correctly
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide appropriate monitoring of a resident’s dialysis access site for one resident who required dialysis services. The resident had intact cognition, diabetes mellitus, and end stage renal disease, and the care plan directed staff to monitor the central dialysis catheter port site for bleeding every shift. Provider orders included review of post-dialysis treatment reports, monitoring the dialysis site for bleeding, and vital signs after dialysis, but did not include monitoring for bruit and thrill or direction to avoid blood pressures on the left arm despite the resident having an AV fistula. Documentation showed the resident’s dialysis access changed from a right chest CVC to a left upper arm AV fistula, with the CVC later removed and the AV fistula confirmed as usable for dialysis. During interviews, nursing staff stated they assessed vital signs, weight, and the dialysis site for bleeding, but were not aware of the AV fistula or the need to assess bruit and thrill and avoid blood pressures on the access arm. The DON stated nurses should know the correct location of the resident’s dialysis access site and assess complications and care according to the type and location of access. The facility policy required assessment before and after dialysis for infection and patency of fistula or graft, including feeling for a thrill, listening for a bruit, and not taking blood pressures on the access arm.
Dialysis care, transportation, documentation, and fluid restriction failures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure safe, appropriate dialysis care for two residents who required hemodialysis. One resident had diagnoses including ESRD, metabolic encephalopathy, and diabetes, and the record showed he was readmitted to the facility with a care plan and physician orders for dialysis on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, including assistance with curbside pickup for dialysis transportation. The resident also had an H&P stating he had the capacity to make and understand complex decisions and an MDS indicating he required supervision for ADLs and received dialysis. For this resident, the record showed a routinely scheduled dialysis appointment was missed because transportation did not arrive. The progress note stated the facility Medical Director was informed and that staff would follow up to schedule a same-day make-up dialysis appointment. The record then showed a make-up dialysis was scheduled, but the resident did not go and was instead transferred to an acute care hospital for missed dialysis. During interview, staff stated the resident missed dialysis because transportation was not arranged, and the DON acknowledged the missed dialysis sessions were due to transportation issues. Review of the dialysis communication record also showed no pre- or post-dialysis assessments documented for the make-up dialysis, and staff stated the form should have been completed before departure and upon return. The second resident had ESRD and dependence on hemodialysis, with physician orders for dialysis three times weekly, notification of abnormalities before and after dialysis, post-dialysis weights, and a fluid restriction of 1000 ml per day. Review of the dialysis communication record showed one dialysis date was missing from the facility documentation, and staff confirmed the resident had completed dialysis that day. Progress notes also lacked documentation showing the resident left the facility for multiple dialysis appointments, and staff validated the missing sign-out documentation. In addition, the resident’s fluid intake record showed intake above the ordered 1000 ml limit on several dates, and staff stated the resident was supposed to be on the restriction. The resident and CNA stated they did not know the resident was on a 1000 ml fluid restriction.
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