Delayed assessment and reporting of new skin conditions
Summary
The facility failed to ensure timely assessment, physician notification, and treatment orders for two residents with new skin concerns. For Resident 95, who had diabetes mellitus, chronic osteomyelitis of the left foot, and muscle weakness, a defined circular area of erythema on the top of the right wrist was observed as red, elevated, dry, and scaly. The resident stated the area had been present for about two to three months, had been treated with cream, and had not improved. Facility staff, including licensed nurses and CNAs, stated they were not aware of documentation showing the wrist condition had been identified, assessed, reported to the physician, or followed with treatment orders when first noted. Resident 95’s record showed a shower/bath sheet on April 20, 2026, documenting no apparent skin issues and no new skin issue or change, while a skin evaluation on April 22, 2026, documented a change in condition with dry reddened skin on the right wrist and noted a new alteration with no drainage or odor. During interviews, an LVN stated any alteration in skin condition should be assessed, documented, reported to the physician, and followed with treatment orders the day it is identified. The DON stated licensed nurses were expected to immediately assess a new skin concern, create a Change of Condition Report, notify the physician, document the skin condition, and initiate a care plan and treatment orders the same day it was identified, and stated there was no documentation showing the right wrist problem had been identified by licensed nurses. For Resident 66, who had hemiplegia affecting the left side and had capacity to understand and make decisions, redness and irritation were observed on the right side of the neck, and the resident was constantly scratching the area. The resident stated the neck had been itching and believed it was related to shaving cream or a cheap razor. The shower sheet contained no documentation of a new rash, redness, or itching to the neck, and no documentation that the neck was assessed or monitored for skin changes. An LVN stated skin checks were performed every shift and new skin conditions should be reported, assessed, documented, monitored, and communicated to the physician and resident representative, but there was no documented assessment or care plan revision for the neck condition.
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