Finding Description
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** This Citation pertains to Intake Number MI00138469.
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure appropriate measures were in place to prevent wound development and promote wound healing for one resident (Resident #1) of three residents reviewed for wounds, resulting in Resident #1 developing a Stage II decubitus ulcer to the right buttock and a wound on the right foot with worsening of the wounds, the wound on the right foot becoming infected, pain, decline in health status that included dehydration and acute kidney injury, the Resident was unable to tolerate surgical procedures to the right foot was placed on comfort measures and hospice services.
Findings include:
Resident #1:
A review of Resident #1's admission Record revealed an admission into the facility on 5/15/23 with diagnoses that included diabetes, hypertension, muscle weakness, pain in left knee, anxiety disorder, and a history of poliomyelitis. A review of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment, dated 5/21/23, revealed a Brief Interview of Mental Status score of 14/15 that indicated intact cognition and the Resident needed extensive assistance of two-person physical assist for bed mobility, dressing, toilet use and personal hygiene and was total dependent of two-person physical assist for transfers. Further review of the MDS revealed the Resident was frequently incontinent of bladder and frequently incontinent of bowel.
Review of the medical record revealed the Resident had a diabetic ulcer on her 5th digit of the right foot and MASD (moisture associated skin damage-skin damage caused by inflammation and erosion or denudation of the epidermis resulting from prolonged exposure to various sources of moisture and potential irritants) that developed while at the facility. A review of Progress notes and Treatment Administration Records (TAR) for Resident #1 revealed the following:
-Progress note dated 6/19/23, was notified by resident [AxOx3 (alert and oriented)] that she has been itching the area by her 5th digit on her right foot. [which this is her small foot, and she will not rotate], per resident she has had this area itch and there was a scratch for years. So this nurse used a small mirror to see wound and there is a small area discolored on that side of the 5th digit. Washed and dry area and covered with border gauze, will tag in a private message wound care and on call or rounding and progress note about this. There was no documented assessment of wound measurements with the origination of the wound until seen by Wound Care team on 6/22/23.
-Treatment Administration Record for June 2023, revealed an order for 5th digit on side/wash and dry cover with BG (border gauze) as needed for as needed, with a start date on 6/19/23 and discontinued on 6/24/23. The order was documented as PRN (as needed) and the TAR did not have any documented entries of the dressing changes completed for the time of 6/19/23 to 6/24/23.
-Progress note dated 6/22/23, visit type: Wound Care, .Right butt MASD- HAI (healthcare-associated) This wound measures 6.07 x 2.06 cm with a depth of <0.1 cm. Wound bed consists of 70% epithelial and 30% granulation tissue. There is moderate amount of serosang. Discharge from this wound. Edges are attached. Patient denies pain with examination. There is no eschar, no tunneling, and no undermining. There is no odor present. Surrounding area [periwound] is fragile but without warmth, swelling, pain on exam, redness, induration or sign of infection. Wound should be cleansed daily with wound cleanser and apply collagen and ABD (large dressing) daily and PRN with incontinence and brief changes. Appropriate mattress should be in place. Wedges and pillows should be used to offset patient from affected area and frequent repositioning.
Right foot 5th digit diabetic-HAI This wound measures 2.31 x 1.97 cm with a unmeasurable depth. Wound bed consists of 100% eschar. There is no discharge from this would. Edges are attached. Patient denies pain with examination. There is no eschar, no tunneling, and no undermining. There is no odor present. Surrounding area [periwound] is fragile but without warmth, swelling, pain on exam, redness, induration or sign of infection. Wound should be cleansed daily apply Betadine soaked gauze abd and kerlix daily. Appropriate mattress should be in place. Wedges and pillows should be used to offset patient from affected area and frequent repositioning .
-Progress note dated 6/24/23, per provider: (Name of Provider). Wound to foot has change for treatment, and wound for buttocks have been updated per providers notes. This nurse updated orders and treatments.
-TAR revealed an order for Right buttock-wound cleanser and collagen with ABD. PRN W (with)/brief changes as needed for incontinence, with a start date on 6/24/23 and discontinued on 6/29/23. There was one documented entry of the treatment/dressing change completed on 6/25/23 at 2:50 PM, there were no other documented entries of a dressing change completed from 6/24/23 to 6/29/23.
-TAR revealed an order for 5th digit on side/wash and dry, Betadine soaked gauze & ABD & Kerlix daily or as needed. As needed for as needed, with a start date on 6/24/23 and discontinued on 6/29/23. There was one documented entry of the treatment/dressing change completed on 6/25/23 at 2:50 PM, there were no other documented entries of a dressing change completed from 6/24/23 to 6/29/23.
-Progress note dated 6/29/23, visit type: Wound Care, .Right butt MASD- HAI This wound measures 7.04 x 1.83 cm with a depth of <0.1 cm. Wound bed consists of 80% epithelial and 20% granulation tissue. There is moderate amount of serosang. Discharge from this wound. Edges are attached. Patient denies pain with examination. There is eschar, no tunneling, and no undermining. There is no odor present. Surrounding area [periwound] has redness, warmth, and inflammation, has maceration, fragile, blanching erythema. Cleanse Right gluteus, Pat dry apply Medihoney to wound bed, cover with bordered gauze daily and PRN. Appropriate mattress should be in place. Wedges and pillows should be used to offset patient from affected area and frequent repositioning.
Right foot 5th digit diabetic-HAI This wound measures 2.57 x 3.04 cm with a unmeasurable depth. Wound bed consists of 80% slough 20% eschar. There is no discharge from this wound. Edges are attached. Patient denies pain with examination. There is no eschar, no tunneling, and no undermining. There is no odor present. Surrounding area [periwound] is fragile, macerated, erythema, red, warm, and swollen sign of infection IM started Bactrim. Cleanse Lateral left pat dry apply Medihoney to wound bed cover with ABD and secure with kerlix Daily and PRN Wedges and pillows should be used to offset patient from affected area and frequent repositioning.
-TAR revealed an order Cleanse Right gluteus. Pat dry apply medihoney to wound bed, cover with bordered gauze daily and PRN every day and night shift for MASD, with a start date 6/29/23 and discontinued 7/6/23. Documented as administered once on 6/29/23 and twice on 6/30, 7/1, 7/2, 7/4, 7/5 and once on 7/3 and 7/6.
-TAR revealed an order Cleanse Right gluteus, Pat dry apply Medihoney to wound bed, cover with bordered gauze daily and PRN as needed for MASD. Change if soiled or missing, with a start date on 6/29/23 and discontinued 7/6/23. There were no entries of administration of the PRN treatment/dressing changes.
-TAR revealed an order Cleanse lateral left pat dry apply Medihoney to wound bed cover with ABD and secure with kerlix Daily and PRN every day shift for diabetic ulcer. Documented as completed on 6/30, 7/1, 7/2, 7/4, 7/5, 7/6, not documented as completed on 7/3, and there were no PRN documented treatment/dressing changes to the right foot diabetic ulcer.
-Progress note 7/6/23, Visit Type: Wound Care, .Right butt MASD-HAI This wound measures 5.26 x 1.47 cm with a dept of <0.1cm. Wound bed consists of 30% epithelial and 70% granulation. There is moderate amount of serosang. discharge from this wound . Surrounding area [periwound] has redness, warmth, and inflammation, has maceration, fragile, blanching erythema. Cleanse Right gluteus, Pat dry apply collagen to wound bed, cover with bordered gauze daily and PRN. Wedges and pillows should be used to offset patient from affected area and frequent repositioning.
Right foot 5th digit diabetic-HAI. This wound measures 3.3 x 2.8 cm with a unmeasurable depth. Wound bed consists of 100% eschar . Surrounding area [periwound] is fragile, macerated, erythema, red, warm, and swollen sign of infection IM started Bactrim. Cleanse Lateral left foot pat dry apply Betadine soaked gauze to wound bed cover with ABD and secure with kerlix Daily and PRN .
-TAR revealed an order Cleanse Right gluteus, Pat dry apply collagen to wound bed, cover with bordered gauze daily and PRN every day and night shift for MASD, start date 7/6/23 and discontinued 7/13/23. The treatment/dressing change was documented as completed twice a day except completed once on 7/8. The order for the PRN included Change if soiled or missing, which did not have any documentation of a PRN treatment/dressing change completed from 7/6/23 to 7/13/23.
-Progress note 7/7/23, SOC (Standard of Care)-Infection, .(Resident #1's name) has a chronic right foot dm (diabetes mellitus) ulcer, she was recently treated with abx (antibiotic) course of Bactrim, the wound appeared to being showing improvement. Days after Bactrim was completed, it began declining, with draining, swelling, tenderness, and warmth. Antibiotic ordered/Susceptibility: Clindamycin HCl Capsule 300 mg. Give 1 capsule by mouth every 6 hours for infection-right food (foot) wound infection for 10 days .
-Progress note 7/8/23, Nurses' Notes, Patient has had treatment to right foot completed 2x this shift and once on day shift patient is continuing to take dressing off of wound explained to patient the importance of keeping wound dressing on to help clear up infection patient states a verbal understanding.
-Progress note 7/12/23, Pertinent Charting-Infections/signs symptoms, .Site of originally identified infection: chronic right foot dm ulcer. Dressing clean dry and intact. Resident continues to attempt to remove dressing repeatedly. Reinforced education on infection. Resident unable to teach back any information.
-Progress note 7/13/23, Visit Type: Wound Care, .Patient being evaluated by the wound care team. Note: per nursing patient is resistant to dressing changes and repositioning. Patient attempt to decline service today much encouragement is required. Venous Doppler pending Patient on 10 day course clindamycin 7/7-7/10 (7/17). Deteriorating DM ulcer . Right butt MASD- HAI. This wound measures 9.06 x 3.19 cm with a depth of 0.1 cm. Wound bed consists of 40% epithelial and 50% granulation, and 10% slough. There is moderate amount of serosang discharge from this wound . cleanse Right gluteus, Pat dry apply Medihoney to wound bed, cover with xeroform and secure with bordered gauze daily and PRN.
Right foot 5th digit diabetic-HAI . Deteriorating on ABX pending LLE venous Doppler. This wound measures 5.87 x 1.74 cm with a unmeasurable depth. Wound bed consists of 80% slough and 20% eschar . Cleanse Lateral left foot pat dry apply Medihoney to wound bed cover with calcium alginate and secure with bordered gauze daily and PRN . Continue supportive care. Patient should be turned frequently. Patient should be supported with pillows or wedges to prevent pressure on wound.
-Progress note 7/14/23 at 5:47 PM, Nurses' Notes, This writer completed this resident's wound care this shift. Upon assessment of R lateral foot wound, dressing was clean/dry/intact. This writer commended this resident for leaving dressing on because she is known for digging and pulling at it with other foot until dressing lifts and sometimes completely comes off of wound while she is in bed. Resident also occasionally gets in her motorized wheelchair which has a very rough textured almost sandpaper-like foot board. Resident then removes wound dressing on the rough base by rubbing it back and forth until it starts to fall off. This writer has explained risks of not leaving dressing in place. This writer also has told this resident to please use her call light or let me know if dressing is coming off or is uncomfortable and it will be addressed . While changing dressing, this writer was concerned regarding wound seeming to not be healing. Seeing as it was Friday, provider (Name) was contacted by this writer. Order given to send this resident to (hospital name) for evaluation and treatment of R lateral foot wound so know (no)delay in treatment would take place by having to have resident wait until Monday to be seen by in house provider .
Resident #1's care plan revealed the following:
-Focus (Resident #1's name) is at risk for pressure ulcer development/skin impairment R/T (related to) diabetic, GERD, Hypertension, Tourette's disorder. Right Foot: Deformity, Left foot Bunion, Left leg and foot surgical scars [Old}, Right foot diabetic ulcer, Right buttock MASD.
-Interventions included: Float heels when in bed as tolerated [Resident refuses at times]; Instruct/assist to shift weight in wheel chair/chair frequently; (Resident's name) requires air mattress, date initiated 6/22/23; (Resident's name) requires pressure reducing cushion when in wheelchair, date initiated 5/17/23; and Pressure reducing boot to right foot in bed and while in [NAME], Do not velco boot. The Care Plan lacked mention of treatments/dressing changes with incontinence and brief changes, wedges and pillows used to offset patient from affected area, frequent repositioning, and a plan for refusals and other person-centered interventions for the worsening of the buttock and foot wounds.
A review of Resident #1's orders revealed the Resident was ordered on 6/29/23 Bactrim DS tablet 800-160 MG, give 1 tablet by mouth every 12 hours for bacterial infection for 5 days. On 7/7/23, Resident #1 had an order for Clindamycin HCl 300 MG, give 1 capsule by mouth every 6 hours for infection-right foot wound infection for 10 days. Review of the medical record revealed no wound culture and sensitivity completed for the wound infection of the foot.
Review of Resident #1's hospital records revealed the following:
-The Resident was seen in the hospital emergency department (ED) on 7/14/23 at 9:26 PM with a history of polio, insulin-dependent diabetes, presenting to ED with complaint of worsening ulcer of the right lateral foot . According to documentation from (facility), the right foot ulcer was newly discovered on 6/22/23. She was prescribed Bactrim from 6/29-7/4, but this did not improve her symptoms so she was started on clindamycin 300 mg Q (every) 6 hours starting 7/7/23 . She has been seen by the wound care nurse practitioner and is being dressed with Medihoney, but redness is getting worse. Patient says the pain is also getting much worse, and starting today she is having some nausea and vomiting but no abdominal pain. Further review of the ED medical records revealed, . presenting with worsening infection of the right foot despite multiple courses of antibiotics as an outpatient. Patient is vomiting starting today, which I suspect is due to her infection . Labs are notable for mildly increased creatinine with elevated BUN creatinine ratio, and an elevated lactic acid level, likely due to acute dehydration from the ongoing infection. CRP is also quite elevated, procalcitonin is borderline elevated, all of which are consistent with ongoing infection . She was given 1 L (liter) of 0.9 normal saline because of the AKI (acute kidney injury) and lactic acidosis.
-History and Physical examination for admission, 7/14/23, revealed, .According to patient she has chronic diabetic wound on her right foot and her daughter has noticed worsening of color and drainage over the last few days despite taking Bactrim and clindamycin . Assessment and plan: 1. Chronic nonhealing diabetic wound, right foot with cellulitis with history of diabetic polyneuropathy and polio. Podiatry consult, broad-spectrum antibiotic pharmacy consult, cultures pending . 2. Acute kidney injury on admission most likely secondary to dehydration . 8. Decubitus ulcer, skin integrity precaution, wound care consult . physical exam: .Skin: Large wound with the right lateral aspect of the foot with surrounding erythema . Small stage 2 decubitus ulcers on the right buttock area .
-Consult notes for service: Podiatry, date of service 7/15/23, Physical Exam: .Derm: .Ulceration: Right lateral 5th MPJ; Size: 4.5 x 2.0 x 1.5 cm; Description: Wound bed mixed fibro necrotic tissue. Purulence and malodor noted. Wound tracks proximally along plantar aspect into 4th interspace. Mild periwound erythema . Plan: .Location: Right lateral foot. An excisional debridement was performed utilizing iris scissors and forceps. The WHC Devitalized Tissue: Fibrin, Necrotic tissue, Eschar and Slough tissue was cut away and removed. The wound was debrided down to bleeding tissue and the depth of the debridement was down to / down to and including bone. Pre-debridement measurement 4.5 x 2.0 x 1.5 cm, post-debridement measurement 5.0 x 2.1 x 1.9 cm .
- Consult notes for Infectious Disease service, with date of service on 7/15/23, .Assessment: 1. Diabetic right foot wound infection Necrotic tissue base with foul-smelling. 2. Significant cellulitis . Plan: 1. Currently on IV (intravenous) cefepime and IV vancomycin .
-Discharge summary dated [DATE], Hospital Course: Right foot x-ray was suggestive of extensive dorsal soft tissue swelling of the right foot-reflective of edema/cellulitis . In ER she was started on IV Zosyn and vancomycin and was admitted for further workup . Antibiotics were adjusted to cefepime, Flagyl and vancomycin . Podiatry team was consulted as well (first seen Resident in ED). They did bedside debridement and wound cultures were sent. Wound cultures growing Pseudomonas, Proteus mirabilis, Enterococcus and rare coag-negative staph (Staphylococcus) . On 7/16/23 in view of worsening of her right lower extremity wound podiatry recommended future surgery either at bedside versus OR. In view of concern for deterioration without source control it can lead to possible death. They stated that they could do it under local anesthetic block to the right foot for surgical debridement however patient refused any procedures. Discussed at length with patient and family however they continued to refuse any interventions given patient is unable to tolerate anesthesia and pain meds and this will lead to worsening of her condition . During the hospital course, she continued to deteriorate as well as refused interventions in view of her issues with the lung from Polio to lie flat for procedures as well as anesthesia. Upon discussion with family they have elected to keep her comfortable. She is under comfort care now .
On 8/15/23 at 11:45 AM, an interview was conducted with Wound Care Nurse A regarding Resident #1's wound to the right buttock and the 5th toe of the right foot. The Nurse reported the wound had originated on 6/22/23. The Nurse indicated that the Resident had an abrasion from her brief on the left medial thigh and when they were assessing that, they found the MASD on the right buttock. The Nurse reported the Resident was non-compliant with brief being changed, she didn't want her head down to get changed. When asked about interventions, the Nurse indicated the Resident was her own person and they kept educating her, asked her frequently to be changed. The pictures of the wounds on the buttock was reviewed with the Nurse, when asked about the open areas, MASD compared to pressure wounds, the Nurse reported that the week she had transferred out, the wound on the right buttock opened up so we were going to change it to pressure Stage II with the next wound rounds, and reported she was going with what the Nurse Practitioner was saying. The Nurse was asked about Resident activity and the Nurse indicated the Resident sat up and used a wheelchair until her [NAME] (electric scooter/wheelchair) had arrived. When asked how long the Resident sat up in the [NAME], the Nurse was unsure. When asked about a cushion, the Nurse indicated they had a cushion for her but the Resident had refused it due to it making her feel like she was going to fall. The Nurse indicated that the Resident was care planned that she frequently refused interventions and reported she often took off her dressings to the foot and buttock. A review of the treatment/dressing changes for the buttock wound was reviewed, the order says daily and prn but was on the TAR as twice a day. The Nurse indicated that it should have read twice a day as the timing was for twice a day and she was incontinent of bowel and bladder. When asked why the dressing was not documented as completed as PRN with incontinence and the Resident taking off the dressings. The Nurse indicated that they were doing multiple dressing changes on the Resident, and they should have been documenting the PRN dressings.
The Wound Care Nurse A was asked about the wound to the right foot, pressure versus diabetic. The Nurse reported that the Resident did not lay on that side or wear shoes, looked for pressure points in bed and wheelchair foot pedals but were unable to find any pressure concerns. The treatments and dressings were reviewed with the Nurse. The Nurse indicated the Resident was often rubbing the dressing off of the foot with complaints of itching, would rub it off in bed and also rub it off when up in the [NAME]. The Nurse indicated that they tried to educate the Resident, but she would continue to remove the dressing. It was reviewed with the Nurse of the lack of PRN documentation of dressing changes. The nurse indicated that if the Resident was removing the dressing, then they should be documenting that they are replacing it. The Nurse was asked about the wound becoming infected. The Nurse indicated that a full course of Bactrim was administered 6/29 and ended on 7/4, then the wound had worsened, and Clindamycin was given on 7/7. The Nurse was asked if there was a wound culture and sensitivity completed and she indicated it had not been ordered. When asked if there was drainage, the Nurse indicated the wound had opened and there was drainage.
On 8/15/23 at 12:41 PM, an interview was conducted with the Nurse Practitioner (NP) C regarding Resident #1's wounds. The Nurse Practitioner indicated that she was not the Wound Care NP at that time but has recently started overseeing wound care. The NP was asked about wound drainage of Resident #1's wound to the right foot and it was indicated the Resident had drainage that was yellow in color. When asked why a wound culture and sensitivity was not completed when the Bactrim was given and then the wound had worsened, the NP indicated she was not doing the wound care at that time, but that a wound culture could have been done. The NP indicated that the worsening of the wound was lead from the Residents non-compliance. The NP was asked why she had ordered the antibiotics. The NP indicated that they had asked her to write the order for the antibiotic due to the findings. When asked if they could have done a wound culture when they assessed the wound during wound care, the NP indicated yes.
On 8/15/23 at 1:39 PM, an interview was conducted with the Infection Control Preventionist (ICP) Nurse D regarding Resident #1. When asked why there was not a wound culture and sensitivity completed on the diabetic ulcer on the foot that presented with infection, the ICP Nurse reported there was no culture done because she presented with cellulitis and that's what meets the criteria for the Bactrim. It was reviewed with the ICP that the Bactrim was completed on 7/4 and the wound had worsened after that and was open and draining and the Clindamycin was started without a culture and sensitivity completed. The ICP Nurse indicated due to the cellulitis, McGeer's criteria for antibiotic use was still met.
On 8/24/23 at 12:05 PM, an interview was conducted with the Administrator regarding Resident #1. The Administrator reviewed the Resident's noncompliance with care and interventions that included rubbing off the dressing on the foot while up in the wheelchair/[NAME], and the Resident removing both dressings from the buttock and foot while in bed with the risk of causing infection. The lack of revised interventions in the preventing of the development and worsening of wounds and the lack of obtaining a wound culture for the identification of appropriate antibiotics was reviewed with the NHA.
A request for policies for wound care was requested. The NHA indicated that there was no specific wound policy and a review of the facility policy titled Pressure Ulcer/Skin Breakdown-Clinical Protocol, revised 1/1/2022, revealed, Policy: Based on the comprehensive assessment of a resident, a resident receives care, consistent with professional standards of practice, to prevent pressure ulcers and does not develop pressure ulcers unless the individual's clinical condition demonstrates that they were unavoidable; and a resident with pressure ulcers receives necessary treatment and services, consistent with professional standards of practice to promote healing, prevent infection, and prevent new ulcers from developing. Policy Explanation and Compliance Guidelines: .3. The comprehensive assessment will address those factors that have been identified as having an impact on the development, treatment and/or healing of PU/PIs, including, at a minimum, risk factors, pressure points, under-nutrition and hydration deficits, and moisture and the impact of moisture on skin. The assessment also helps identify the resident who has multi-system organ failure or an end-of-life condition or who is refusing care and treatment. If the resident is refusing care, an evaluation of the basis for the refusal, and the identification and evaluation of potential alternatives is indicated . 6. Plan of Care: The Plan of care for prevention and/or treatment of PU/PI's will be developed based on the assessments above to include but not limited to: [not all inclusive]: Support surfaces; Turning schedule/off-loading; Moisture management; Incontinence management; Nutritional management; Pain management; Disease effects on perfusion and/or healing; Medications that effect perfusion and/or healing .