Finding Description
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on review of facility reported incidents, medical record review, facility documentation review, and staff interviews, it was determined the facility failed to keep residents who required either extensive assistance or total dependence with turning and repositioning in bed free from falling out of bed while providing activities of daily living (ADL) care, resulting in actual harm to Resident #33 and Resident #17. The failure of the facility staff to protect a resident from a fall resulted in a hematoma for Resident #33 and bilateral femur fractures for Resident #17. This was evident for 2 (#33, #17) of 39 residents reviewed for facility reported incidents.
The findings include:
1) On 10/16/24 at 7:42 AM a review of facility reported incident MD00191729, that was received by the State Survey Agency (SA), alleged on 4/24/23, Resident #33 was receiving care and rolled from the bed. The facility called 911 and the resident was sent out to the hospital. The hospital reported that Resident #33 had a pelvic fracture and a hematoma in the gluteal area.
On 10/16/24 at 7:42 AM a review of Resident #33's medical record was conducted and revealed Resident #33 was admitted to the facility in March 2023 with diagnoses that included end stage renal disease with dependence on renal dialysis, hemiplegia and hemiparesis following a stroke that affected the left non-dominant side, osteomyelitis of vertebra, thoracic region, discitis of the thoracic region and type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic neuropathy.
The MDS (Minimum Data Set) is part of the Resident Assessment Instrument that was Federally mandated in legislation passed in 1986. The MDS is a set of assessment screening items employed as part of a standardized, reproducible, and comprehensive assessment process that ensures each resident's individual needs are identified, that care is planned based on those individualized needs, and that the care is provided as planned to meet the needs of each resident.
Review of Resident #33's 4/18/24 5-day MDS, section G, Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Assistance, A. Bed mobility - how residents moves to and from lying position, turns side to side and positions body while in bed or alternate sleep furniture as a (3) which was Extensive assistance - resident involved in activity; staff provide weight-bearing support with 1-person physical assist. The MDS also coded the resident extensive assistance with 1-person physical assistance with eating and personal hygiene.
A care plan is a guide that addresses the unique needs of each resident. It is used to plan, assess, and evaluate the effectiveness of the resident's care.
Review of Resident #33's activities of daily living care plan (ADL), that was created on 4/13/23 documented, I am dependent on staff for turning and repositioning and I am dependent on staff for grooming/personal hygiene.
Review of a SBAR (change in condition) note dated 4/24/23 at 23:25 (11:25 PM) documented, the resident fell in the room from the bed to the floor when staff tried to give patient care. The note documented, there was circular swelling on the left side of the head and 911 was called per administrative directive.
On 10/16/24 at 12:50 PM a review of the emergency room report dated 4/25/23 documented, presented after a fall, was being changed when [he/she] rolled off the bed, fell on [his/her] left side. Endorsing left sided head pain. Endorsing LUE and LLE pain diffusely. A secondary survey (assessment of resident) documented, large hematoma on L scalp. The physician documented, large hematoma on left scalp and multiple large ecchymotic areas along the left side of [his/her] body. [He/she] is tender along [his/her] chest wall, [his/her] entire LUE and LLE, with point tenderness in the L hip. A CT scan documented, L gluteal hematoma with active extrav (extravasation) (contrast material leaked) (trauma consulted) and pubic rami fracture (old, seen on 4/4/ CT). The note documented that trauma surgery was consulted and ordered a repeat CBC (complete blood count) and type and crossed for 2U (units of blood). Recommend ice packs, compression and CBC (complete blood count) BID (2 x day).
Review of the facility ' s investigation revealed a statement from Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA) #20 that documented she was assigned to Resident #33. GNA #20 rolled the resident towards me and didn ' t realize [he/she] was so close to the edge, and I pulled [him/her], and [he/she] fell on the left side of the floor.
A witness statement from GNA #21 documented that she was called to the resident ' s room and saw the resident on the floor. The nurse and I and two other aides picked [him/her] up from the floor.
A statement from Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) #22 documented that she was in another patient ' s room when she heard Resident #33 fall and hit the floor. Resident was lying on [his/her] right side. Alert and crying. The statement documented, complained of pain in right arm. In resident normal condition. [He/she] have weakness in both arms and legs. Have large swollen area on left side of resident head. Resident stated, I ' m ok, but I hurt while pointing to [his/her] right arm and rubbing [his/her] left thigh to indicate pain. Also, resident express pain and wanted an oxycodone tab. It was explained to resident because of a possible head injury I cannot give [him/her] an oxycodone at that time.
On 10/17/24 at 3:26 PM an interview was conducted with GNA #20. GNA #20 stated, I pulled [him/her] towards me. I don ' t know how much [he/she] weighed; [he/she] was a little stocky. I rolled [him/her], and it must have been too hard, and [he/she] fell on the floor. I must have not realized how hard I pushed to roll [him/her] over. These people come and go, and I can ' t keep up with their names. They never told us if [he/she] was a 1 or 2 person assist. I can ' t remember if I had education after the incident. I can ' t even remember [his/her] name.
GNA #20 was asked how she knew a resident ' s mobility status related to turning and positioning. GNA #20 stated, if the person is alert enough to tell me or I will get another aide or nurse. I usually go get the nurse and just ask them about the resident. The surveyor asked GNA #20 if the mobility status was documented somewhere for the staff to know the status. GNA #20 stated, if they have it documented, I don ' t know where it is documented. If it is in their file I don ' t know about it. We are not supposed to go in their file. The surveyor asked GNA #20 where she documented care that she gave the residents every day. GNA #20 stated, the computer on the wall is where I document their care. The surveyor asked if the mobility and bed positioning was in the computer. GNA #20 stated, yes, but at that time when the incident happened to the patient, I didn ' t know you could get the information from the computer.
2) On 10/17/24 at 8:03 AM a review of facility reported incident MD00193742, that was received by the State Survey Agency (SA), alleged on 6/23/23, Resident #17 fell from the bed. A telehealth visit was conducted, and Resident #17 was sent to the emergency room for further evaluation.
On 10/17/24 at 8:03 AM a review of Resident #17's medical record was conducted and revealed Resident #17 was admitted to the facility in January 2020 with diagnoses that included end stage renal disease with dependence on renal dialysis, hemiplegia and hemiparesis following a stroke that affected the left non-dominant side, and legal blindness.
Review of Resident #17's 6/19/23 quarterly MDS, section G, Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Assistance, A. Bed mobility - how residents moves to and from lying position, turns side to side and positions body while in bed or alternate sleep furniture as a (4) which was total dependence which was full staff performance; with two + person physical assist. The MDS also coded the resident total dependence with two + persons physical assist for transfers, dressing, toileting, and personal hygiene.
Review of Resident #17's ADLs self-care performance deficit related to hemiplegia/hemiparesis, that was created on 5/24/23 documented, I require 2 staff assist with turning and repositioning.
Review of a SBAR (change in condition) note dated 6/24/23 at 01:05 AM documented that at approximately 10:15 PM the assigned GNA came to the nurse ' s station and stated that Resident #17 was on the floor during ADL care. Resident #17 was observed on the floor on the left side of the bed, leaning on the right side between the wheelchair and tote box. Resident #17 was assisted back to bed and the resident complained of pain in the left upper thigh. The resident was sent to the emergency room.
Review of a 6/26/23 at 17:37 general progress note documented, follow-up call done to [name of initial hospital] patient transferred to [second hospital name] due to fracture from fall.
Review of a 6/27/23 at 21:51 after hours telemed patient note documented, had a fall earlier, having severe left leg pain and requested to go to ED (emergency department).
Review of the initial hospital ' s emergency room note documented, pt reports that nurse was cleaning [him/her] in bed [he/she] accidentally rolled off the bed and fell on the floor. Pt. c/o severe pain to BLE (bilateral lower extremities). The physical exam documented, is in acute distress. Pt. in mild to moderate distress due to pain. The musculoskeletal exam documented, difficult to evaluate LE due to pain, positive spastic deformity, swelling, pain with light palpation to the left thigh/hip, right hip. The x-ray results documented, positive for proximal fracture of the left femur with angulation, and right intertrochanteric fracture. The CT of the femur documented, comminuted proximal 3rd femur fracture with overriding fracture fragments. The distal fracture fragment is impacted into the left intertrochanteric region with shortening to the left femur. The CT to the pelvis confirmed the right intertrochanteric fracture and the proximal left femoral diaphysis fracture along with a hematoma within the left anterior extensor muscles. The disposition of the resident was to transfer to a higher level of care that was not available at that hospital.
Review of the facility ' s investigation revealed a statement from GNA #24 that documented she was assigned to Resident #17. GNA #24 documented that GNA #25 helped her put Resident #17 into the bed, turned the resident, and removed the Hoyer pad from underneath the resident. GNA #24 documented that she then turned Resident #17 on his/her left side to remove the diaper and began cleaning Resident #17 up and the resident was fine on the bed. GNA #24 documented that she started to clean the resident up and applied A&D Ointment when the resident started to lean over towards the floor on [his/her] left side. There was a tote and a wheelchair that broke the resident ' s fall.
Review of a written statement from GNA #25 documented that GNA #25 assisted GNA #24 with the Hoyer to put the resident in bed. Resident #17 told her she ' ll need help with changing [him/her]. She insisted she didn ' t. GNA #25 documented that she left the room to finish tending to another resident.
Included in the investigation was a complaint form for the Maryland Board of Nursing for GNA #24 that documented at approximately 10 pm on Friday, June 23, 2023, resident [#17] was injured. GNA #24 was assigned to care for Resident #17 that evening during her 3-11 pm shift. GNA #25 assisted GNA #24 with the use of a Hoyer lift to transfer the resident from the Geri-chair to the bed. After the resident was placed in bed, the 2 GNAs turned Resident #17 left to right to remove the Hoyer lift pad that was under him/her. GNA #24 told GNA #25 that she did not need help changing the resident. GNA #25 and Resident #17 both stated he/she required 2 people to care for him/her, but GNA #24 insisted on caring for him/her alone. GNA #25 left the room to assist the other GNA on the unit. While performing ADL to change Resident #17 ' s incontinence device, GNA #24 turned Resident #17 onto his/her left side. On Resident #17 ' s left side of the bed was a Geri-chair and tote. When GNA #24 began to apply A&D ointment, Resident #17 continued to lean more on his/her left side and fell out of bed onto the Geri-chair and tote.
Resident #17 was alert and oriented to person, place and time, assessed, and placed back in bed using the Hoyer lift. Resident #17 began to complain of pain in the left upper thigh. Virtual on call physician notified of incident and status of Resident #17 and ordered him/her to be transferred to the hospital for further evaluation. Around 3 pm on Saturday, June 24, 2023, Staff #26 called the hospital for an update and was told he/she had a closed fracture of the right hip and closed displaced oblique fracture of the left femur and was transferred from one hospital to another in the morning.
After the investigation was completed, GNA #24 was terminated.
On 10/17/24 at 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM a call was placed to GNA #24 with a voice mail message left for a call back. As of 10/18/24 at 10:30 AM GNA #24 had not returned the surveyor ' s phone call.
On 10/17/24 at 3:17 PM GNA #25 was interviewed and stated, that night I assisted her with putting [him/her] to bed with the Hoyer lift and [he/she] said you will need another person. She said no I don ' t, I had you before and I have done you myself. I left the room, she had [him/her] before. GNA #25 stated there were certain people that the resident would allow to do him/her by themselves. GNA #25 stated she continued her rounds and came out of another resident ' s room when she was informed of the fall. GNA #25 stated, I went to the room, and [he/she] asked me to stay with [him/her]. GNA #25 stated that Resident #17 was in pain. [He/she] was in a lot of pain. GNA #25 stated, [he/she] was a 2 person assist with bed mobility. It said it on the [NAME], but [he/she] would allow certain people to just do it by themselves. GNA #25 stated, She declined the help.
On 10/17/24 at 3:47 PM LPN #26 was interviewed and stated, I remember [he/she] fell out of bed during care. LPN #26 stated he was called to the resident ' s room. [He/she] said help me, help me please, they made me fall. We assisted [him/her] back to bed. I can ' t remember anything else. [He/she] just kept saying please help me [name], get me up.
On 10/17/24 at 3:54 PM the ADON stated they did bed mobility training on all staff along with abuse training after each incident. The ADON stated they took the fall ' s issue to QA (Quality Assurance) and did a QA Ad hoc meeting for both falls along with audits. The ADON stated that it was self-identified that the care plan and [NAME] was not patient centered related to specifics of 1 person assist, or 2 person assist or if mechanical lift for transfers and bed mobility was needed.
Review of the facility ' s in-service documentation revealed GNA #24 ' s signature for the 4/27/23 to 5/1/23 in-service on documentation and communication of transfer/bed mobility status and for the 6/3/23 in-service on turning and repositioning.
On 10/17/24 at 4:14 PM the Director of Nursing (DON) joined the interview with the ADON. The surveyor discussed how Resident #33 fell out of bed during care in April 2023 and then it happened to Resident #17 in June 2023 even though the GNA involved in the June 2023 incident (GNA #24) had received training in April 2023 and on 6/3/23 which was 20 days prior to the incident in June 2023.