Finding Description
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, provider interview, staff interviews, record review and policy review, the facility failed to provide timely and adequate skin care to prevent worsening of pressure ulcers for 2 of 3 residents reviewed. Resident #6 developed a pressure injury on her heel and staff failed to call the doctor when there was a change in the wound. Resident #71 was admitted to the facility with an identified Moisture Associated Skin (MASD), and staff failed to get a doctor's order for treatments. The facility reported a census of 69 residents. The MDS (Minimum Data Set) assessment identifies the definition of pressure ulcers:Stage I is an intact skin with non-blanchable redness of a localized area usually over a bony prominence. Darkly pigmented skin may not have a visible blanching; in dark skin tones only it may appear with persistent blue or purple hues.Stage II is partial thickness loss of dermis presenting as a shallow open ulcer with a red or pink wound bed, without slough (dead tissue, usually cream or yellow in color). May also present as an intact or open/ruptured blister.Stage III Full thickness tissue loss. Subcutaneous fat may be visible but bone, tendon or muscle is not exposed. Slough may be present but does not obscure the depth of tissue loss. May include undermining and tunneling.Stage IV is full thickness tissue loss with exposed bone, tendon or muscle. Slough or eschar (dry, black, hard necrotic tissue). may be present on some parts of the wound bed. Often includes undermining and tunneling or eschar.Unstageable Ulcer: inability to see the wound bed.Findings include: 1) According to the Minimum Data Set (MDS) dated [DATE], Resident #6 had severely impaired cognitive skills for daily decision making. She was totally dependent on staff for toileting hygiene, sit to stand and toilet transfers. Resident #6 had an unstageable pressure injury. The Care Plan updated on 8/30/25, for Resident #6 showed that she had the potential for impaired skin integrity and an existing left heel pressure injury. Staff were directed to float the left heel or apply heel protectors while in bed. Staff were to notify the physician with changes and signs of infection such as redness, odor or increased drainage. As of 10/16/25, Resident #6 was receiving end of life care, related to terminal prognosis and had elected hospice services. The Progress Note dated 8/26/25 documented a foot evaluation was completed to Resident #6. It documented the resident has a skin tear to her right shin with no other areas noted. The Fax form to the physician dated 8/31/25 documented Resident #6 has a sore on her left heel that looks like it is an old blister that is now hard and scabbed over. Resident denies pain. Measures 2cm x 1.2cm in size. Skin prep applied and will continue to be applied daily until healed. The Medication/Treatment Administration (MAR/TAR) record for Resident #6 showed that on 9/2/25 at 3:13 PM, they started an order for skin prep daily to the left heel area. The October MAR/TAR showed on 10/2/25 at 12:29 PM, the order changed to Marathon skin prep three times a daily.According to Wound Source Product Guide. Skin Prep forms a protective interface to prepare intact skin for attachment sites and protects kin from incontinence, tape stripping and friction. Retrieved on 11/24/25 at 7:40 AM from: SKIN-PREP* Protective Dressing | Wound Liquid ProtectantThe following documentation was found in the Nursing Notes (NN) and on the Nursing Services Basic Skin Assessment (NSBSA):a. NN; 8/31/25 at 5:56 PM, staff noted sore on resident left heel, it was scabbed over, the skin was dark yellow and brown. A Skin Prep treatment was applied and Primary Care Physician (PCP) notified. b. NN; 8/31/25 at 5:57 PM, new skin issue on the left heel, pressure injury, unstageable and measured 2centimeter (cm) length x 1.2 cm width.c. NN; 9/2/25 at 1:56 PM, left heel wound measured 2 cm x 1.5 cm. Clean, dry and intact scab. d. NN; 9/2/25 at 3:12 PM, PCP okay with current treatment (skin prep) and heel protectors in bed. e. NSBSA; 9/9/25, left heel ulcer measured 2 cm x 2 cm. f. NSBSA; 9/16/25 left heel ulcer measured 3 cm x 1 cm. g. NSBSA; 9/23/25 left heel ulcer measured 4 cm x 1.5 cm. h. NN; 9/24/25 at 4:32 PM, no skin issues worsening at this time. The resident record lacked information regarding doctor notification of change in wound. i. NN; 9/26/25 at 8:40 AM, the resident was being monitored for skin concerns on left heel. No concerns for worsening integumentary status, no signs or symptoms of infection. Current treatment: skin prep to left heel daily, heel protectors in place when resident in bed. j. NN; 9/29/25 at 2:49 PM, The Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) provided bath today and noticed the area on the left heel was bigger and left ankle swollen and warm. k. NSBSA; 9/30/25 at 9:23 AM, ulcer measured 5 cm x 2 cm. l. NN; 9/30/25 at 1:33 PM, fax sent to the PCP and requested application of Marathon (skin protectant) every shift until resolved. m. NN; 10/1/25 at 1:45 PM resident left heel is deteriorating. Moderate drainage on her dressing slight odor. n. NN; 10/1/25 at 3:34 AM the resident continued on antibiotic for left ankle redness. A Skin assessment dated [DATE] 11:36 AM, lacked measurements or description of the wound.A Nursing Progress Noted dated 10/11/25 at 10:25 AM, showed that the unstageable pressure contained 90% eschar (dark, crusty tissue) and the wound measure 4.5 cm x 2.3 cm. There was increased redness, warmth and odor. Resident #6 verbalized discomfort with dressing removal. Rolled edges to the wound, change of condition in agreement. A NN dated 10/11/25 at 10:30 AM, showed that Resident #6 was lethargic, and there was increased odor from the heel. Staff attempted to remove the dressing and the resident displayed increased pain. The resident was sent to the emergency room for further treatment. On 11/19/2025 at 11:39 AM, a nurse for the PCP said that from 8/31 - 9/22/25, the doctor had not been contacted about a change in status and that the wound had been getting bigger. She said that on 9/29 they were contacted regarding a change and the doctor gave an order for an antibiotic. She said that it was their understanding that Resident #6 had been under the care of Hospice during that timeframe and they were monitoring and giving treatment orders for the wounds. In an observation on 11/19/2025 at 9:08 AM, Staff A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Staff B, Registered Nurse (RN), provided a dressing change on the left heel for Resident #6. The resident pulled her foot back and displayed some pain. The wound had mostly black eschar and some peeling skin around the outsides of the ulcer. On 11/20/25 at 10:30 AM, Staff F, Registered Nurse (RN) said she remembered when Resident #6 had the treatment order for skin prep. She said she had some concerns that the same treatment order had been in place for so long. She said there was a period of time that she hadn't worked and when she came back, the wound had deteriorated significantly, including some drainage. Staff F said that with skin prep application, they should have left it open to air. She believed that by wrapping it, the moisture stayed in the wound and hampered healing. On 11/20/25 at 10:04 AM, Staff E, LPN said that she would do the skin prep treatment and leave it open to air, but she had seen that many times, it was wrapped. A review of the nursing progress notes showed that from 10/1/25 - 10/11/25 the nurses made reference to a dressing applied over the wound on 5 separate days. On 11/20/2025 at 10:39 AM, the Director of Nursing (DON) said that the doctor should have been contacted for new treatment orders when there was a change in the wound. She said that if the treatment order did not include a wrapping, staff would understand that it should have been left open to air. 2) According to the MDS dated [DATE], Resident #71 was admitted to the facility on [DATE] with a BIMS score of 12 (moderate cognitive deficits). The Baseline Care Plan for Resident #71, dated 11/10/25, showed that he required one person assistance with toileting hygiene, and two-person physical assist with transfers and ambulation. The Care Plan dated 11/10/25, showed that Resident #71 had Activities of Daily Living (ADL) self-care performance deficits related to dementia. The resident had the potential for impaired skin integrity/pressure injury, and had a MASD on the coccyx. An addition was made to the Care Plan on 11/17/25, to apply barrier cream as needed and follow physicians wound care orders. Skin Check dated 11/11/25 at 8:25 AM, showed that Resident #71 had moisture associated skin damage on his coccyx that was present upon admission. The area measured; 0.5 cm x 0.2 cm. The Medication/Treatment Administration Record (MAR/TAR) and Orders tab lacked reference to treatment orders for the developing skin issue. A Skin Check document dated 11/18/25 at 5:33 AM, lacked measurements of the MASD on the coccyx. On 11/18/25 at 6:45 AM, Certified Medication Aide (CMA), Staff C, assisted Resident #71 to the bathroom. After assisting the resident to the toilet, Staff C stayed in the room with him until the resident indicated that he was done. Resident #71 used disposable wipes to clean himself. Without offering a barrier cream, Staff C then helped him pull up his pants and escorted the resident to the chair. At 8:30 AM, and at 10:19 AM the resident was still in the chair.On 11/19/2025 at 1:26 PM, Staff B and Staff A transferred Resident #71 to the bed and let him know that they wanted to checked his bottom. The coccyx area was red and Staff A stated that there was a slight open slit down the middle of the reddened area. Staff A stated they would contact the doctor to get an order for twice a day application of barrier cream. On 11/20/25 at 10:39 AM the DON and Administrator agreed that Resident #71 should have gotten an order for barrier cream as soon as the issues was identified. A facility policy titled: Pressure Ulcers/Skin Breakdown - Clinical Protocol, updated on April 2018, the physician would order pertinent wound treatments, including pressure reduction surfaces, wound cleansing, debridement approaches, dressings and application of topical agents. The physician would guide the care plan as appropriate, especially when wounds were not healing as anticipated or new wounds develop despite existing interventions. Current approaches would be reviewed for whether they remain pertinent to the residents' medical conditions are affected by factor influencing wound development or healing and the impact of specific treatment choice made by the resident.