Incomplete investigation of resident fall with hip fracture
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a complete and thorough investigation for a resident who sustained an acute left femoral intertrochanteric fracture after an incident in the bathroom. The resident had severe cognitive impairment, was non-ambulatory, and required maximum assistance of 2 people for transfers. According to the reportable incident, the resident was assisted onto the toilet by a nurse aide and a nursing supervisor and was left there with a paid companion, who was instructed to ring the call bell when the resident was ready to get up. The incident documentation and witness statements were inconsistent regarding what happened after the resident was left on the toilet. The companion stated that the resident stood quickly, fell to the floor, and that she picked him up and put him back on the toilet. The nurse aide and licensed nurse reported that the companion told them the resident fell off the toilet and was picked up from the floor and returned to the toilet. The nursing supervisor stated that companions are not allowed to assist with resident transfers, and that residents require two staff members for transfers. During interviews, the nurse aide later stated that both she and the companion transferred the resident from the toilet to his wheelchair, while the companion stated she was not allowed to provide care or transfer residents and also reported that she assisted the nurse aide with the transfer to the wheelchair. The facility’s investigation included statements from the licensed nurse, nursing supervisor, and companion, but the report states that the nurse aide’s interview did not reveal a statement that she had the companion assist with transferring the resident from the toilet back to the wheelchair. The record also contained differing accounts of whether the companion was outside the bathroom doorway, in the doorway, or in the room, and whether she assisted after the fall. The resident complained of hip pain, x-rays showed an acute left hip fracture, and he was sent to the hospital emergency room for treatment.
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