Failure to Provide Ordered Blood Glucose Monitoring and Individualized Wheelchair Positioning
Summary
The facility failed to provide care and services consistent with professional standards of practice and the residents’ care plans for two sampled residents. For one resident with dysphagia, a G-tube, and type 2 DM with hyperglycemia, the record showed an admission order for NPH insulin every 12 hours and an order for daily blood sugar checks, but after hospitalization and readmission there were no active routine or recurring blood glucose monitoring orders documented. The resident’s care plan identified the resident as insulin dependent and directed blood sugar checks per physician order and insulin administration as ordered, yet the clinical record did not maintain ongoing orders for routine monitoring after readmission. When the resident later had a blood sugar reading of HI, the value was rechecked and remained HI, indicating a level greater than 600 mg/dL. The APRN was notified and ordered immediate Lispro insulin and a repeat blood sugar in 1 hour. The repeat blood sugar was 586 mg/dL, and another provider order directed additional Lispro, another recheck in 2 hours, and notification if the result remained above 400. A subsequent order directed blood sugar checks twice daily before meals. Shortly after, the resident was observed lethargic with an oxygen saturation of 88% on room air, was placed on supplemental oxygen, and was transferred by ambulance to the ED. The record also noted the resident was later discharged from the hospital with metabolic encephalopathy. For the second resident, the record identified abnormal posture, arthritis, diabetes mellitus, moderate cognitive impairment, dependence on staff for toileting, transfers, and dressing, and risk for pressure ulcers/injuries. The resident’s care plan addressed skin breakdown risk with an air mattress, weekly skin inspections, and turning and repositioning every 2 hours and as needed. OT documentation described the resident as unable to reposition self, with decreased trunk control and weakness, and noted the resident was in a tilt-in-space custom wheelchair. A physician order directed the resident to be out of bed in the wheelchair after morning care and back to bed before evening care, with tilting to tolerance for pressure relief, but the order did not specify timeframes. Observations showed the resident in bed in the supine position on multiple occasions, and a nurse aide stated the resident was usually gotten up right before lunch and returned to bed around 2:30 PM for incontinent care. The resident care card did not include directions for an out-of-bed schedule, tilt-in-space schedule, or positioning plan. The DON and PT were unable to provide documentation of staff education, quarterly or monthly wheelchair evaluation notes, or a customized 24-hour positioning plan for the wheelchair. The vendor stated that a positioning schedule, staff education, and ongoing evaluation are strongly recommended, and that the resident’s position plan was too open ended and should have included specific times or time frames for out of bed, back to bed, and tilting.
Penalty
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