Failure to assess and document stroke-like change in condition
Summary
The facility failed to assess, monitor, and document a change in condition for one resident with diabetes mellitus, a prior cerebral infarct, and weakness after she developed stroke-like symptoms and was later sent to the hospital. The resident was admitted on 4/1/23 and was transferred out on 7/1/26 after staff observed right facial droop, inability to open her eyes or respond, and reduced movement. Intake reports stated she had not been checked throughout the day, was found non-verbal with little to no motor function, and had significant facial droop, with staff unable to identify when she was last known well. Progress notes showed that on the evening before transfer, the resident had a shower, a full assessment, and vital signs that were within normal limits, though staff noted she was quieter than usual and checked on her several times overnight. The next morning she was described as sleeping in bed, not waking for breakfast, and later as asleep with no discomfort or distress noted. By mid-afternoon, staff documented a right facial droop and that she was moving only her left arm and would not open her eyes or respond; the physician and 911 were then called, and she left by ambulance at 3:15 PM. The electronic medical record lacked vital signs on 6/30/26 and lacked a head-to-toe and neurological assessment related to the change in condition on 7/1/26. Interviews confirmed that the resident was not assessed with a neurological exam when the change was recognized. The LPN stated she only took vital signs and did not perform a neuro assessment, and said the resident had a history of prior stroke and looked similar to that. The CNA reported the resident did not seem like herself in the morning, did not wake for lunch, and was not right, while the ADON and DON stated that a change in condition required timely documentation of vital signs and assessment, including neuros, and that if it was not documented it was not done. The facility policy on notification of changes identified stroke as a life-threatening condition requiring prompt physician consultation and notification of the resident’s representative.
Penalty
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