Missing Dialysis Orders at Admission
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that physician orders were in place for a resident’s immediate care at the time of admission, specifically for dialysis. The resident was admitted with diagnoses including acute kidney failure, alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver with ascites, ESRD, dependence on renal dialysis, muscle weakness, muscle wasting and atrophy, benign prostatic hyperplasia with lower urinary tract symptoms, and lack of coordination. The resident’s records showed he was alert, oriented, and able to follow directions, and the hospital transfer form documented dialysis on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with an early morning chair time. The admission record did not contain dialysis orders until after the resident had already been admitted, and the resident missed the scheduled dialysis treatment on the first Monday after admission. The physician orders later included hemodialysis three times weekly at a named dialysis center, transport arrangements, dialysis access precautions, meal/snack instructions before dialysis, and monitoring of the dialysis access site. The report states that there were no dialysis orders until after admission, and the resident was upset that dialysis had not been done as expected. Staff interviews showed that the admission process did not identify or secure the resident’s dialysis needs at the time of admission. The Admissions/Marketing Director stated the hospital did not inform her that the resident was receiving dialysis and she did not ask about special treatments. The LPN stated he could not find dialysis paperwork or orders and did not contact the physician. The RN Unit Manager stated she learned of the missing dialysis orders after a text message, contacted Admissions, and later obtained the orders, but she did not notify the physician. The Medical Director stated he was unaware whether the resident needed dialysis, and the dialysis center confirmed the resident had a standing chair time but had not been notified of the discharge until after the scheduled treatment time had passed.
Penalty
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