Failure to Maintain Ordered Wound Dressings and Treat New Wounds
Summary
The facility failed to provide ordered wound treatment and care for three residents with skin impairments. R9 had multiple diagnoses including diabetes with neuropathy, peripheral autonomic neuropathy, chronic ulcers of the right lower leg and heel, and atrial fibrillation, and was documented as severely cognitively impaired and dependent on staff for mobility. R9’s physician orders required wound cleansing, collagen, ABD pads, and gauze dressings to the left dorsal foot, left medial ankle, and right dorsal foot every night shift and as needed. During observation on multiple occasions, R9’s wounds were left uncovered and exposed to the environment, with blood-tinged wound bases noted, and staff acknowledged the wounds were uncovered. The TAR and progress notes did not document that dressings were applied on the day shift when the wounds were observed uncovered. Surveyors also observed a new blackened area on the bottom of R9’s second right toe that staff stated they were not aware of. R1 had diagnoses including type 2 diabetes, COPD, dysphagia, CHF, hypertension, PVD, encephalopathy, and cardiomegaly, and was moderately cognitively impaired and dependent on staff for mobility. R1’s care plan identified risk for skin impairment related to obesity, diabetes, PVD, incontinence, and non-compliance with turning and repositioning. A physician order required treatment to the right upper thigh wound with calcium alginate and bordered foam. Surveyors observed R1 sitting in a wheelchair without a wheelchair cushion, and staff stated they had never seen a cushion in the wheelchair or in the room. When R1 was transferred to bed, an approximate 2 cm round wound was observed on the right gluteal fold, and no dressing was present. The administrator stated the wound should have had a dressing, and the wound physician stated he would expect a pressure relieving cushion in the wheelchair and a dressing on the wound at all times. R50 was cognitively intact and had diagnoses including type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic neuropathy and a non-pressure chronic ulcer of the foot. R50 stated the dressing to the wound was supposed to be changed daily but was not. On observation, the wound dressing on the right foot was removed and had tan drainage. The LPN then applied treatment but did not cleanse the wound with wound cleanser before applying med honey and a border dressing, despite the physician order requiring cleansing with wound cleanser, honey, and border foam daily and as needed. The wound physician stated treatments were expected to be done as ordered.
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