Failure to Maintain Skin Integrity During Respite Stay
Summary
The facility failed to ensure Resident #73’s skin was maintained during a respite care stay. Resident #73 was an older female with diagnoses including hemiplegia affecting the right dominant side and vascular dementia without behaviors. Her baseline care plan noted that she communicated easily, could understand staff, required partial to moderate assistance with toileting hygiene and toilet transfer, was frequently incontinent of bowel, and had no documented skin integrity issues. Her admission note also reflected no skin issues, although her Braden skin evaluation identified her as at risk for skin breakdown. During the stay, the resident’s family member reported that when she arrived to pick up the resident, the resident had dried bowel movement up her back and around her perineal area, a clean incontinent pad had been placed over a dirty bottom sheet, and the sheet had dried bowel movement on it. The family member stated open areas on the resident’s bottom were noticed while she was being cleaned. A photograph taken that evening showed the resident’s buttocks with white scar tissue and several areas of missing skin that were superficial, bright red, and wet. LVN F stated the resident had bowel movement halfway up her back and had several small open, blistered areas on her bottom, and that the soiled brief appeared to have been sitting against the skin and causing moisture-related damage. Staff interviews reflected that CNA M believed the resident’s skin was intact when admitted and that she had no open areas on her bottom. LVN R stated she performed the admission skin assessment and found no skin issues. The DON stated she was unaware of problems until the family complained after discharge and expected a discharge skin assessment and documentation of any skin issues. The Administrator also stated the family complained that the resident had not been changed during the stay, while staff stated they could not verify any skin concerns at discharge. A wound care note dated after discharge stated there was no open wound present and instructed turning every hour and keeping the resident clean of fecal matter to prevent pressure sores and using zinc to prevent moisture buildup.
Penalty
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