Finding Description
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and record during the abbreviated surveys (NY00317036, NY00317748, NY00318254 & NY00318419), the facility did not ensure care was provided that prevented residents from developing pressure ulcers and/or did not ensure residents with pressure ulcers received the necessary treatments and services to promote healing for 1 of 5 residents (Residents #4) reviewed for pressure ulcers. Specifically, Resident #4 was not provided with adequate pressure relieving interventions upon admission resulting in the resident developing multiple pressure ulcers. In addition, after the resident developed the pressure ulcers, pressure relieving devices were not consistently implemented and the plan of care was not re-evaluated for effectiveness.
Findings include:
Resident #4 had diagnoses including traumatic brain injury, craniotomy, and cognitive deficit disorder. The 03/29/2023 admission Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment documented the resident's cognition was severely impaired, was total dependent for all activities of daily living (ADLs), had an external urinary catheter, a gastrostomy tube for nutrition, did not have any pressure ulcers and was a risk for developing pressure ulcers.
The 03/22/2023 comprehensive care plan (CCP) documented the resident was at risk for skin impairment. Interventions included moisture barrier with each incontinent episode, weekly skin checks and to observe skin condition while providing care.
Physician orders on 03/24/2023 included right and left heel booties to protect the resident's heels. The order did not include the frequency in which the resident should be wearing the booties.
On 04/27/2023 the CCP was updated to reflect the resident had impaired skin integrity. Interventions included turning and repositioning per schedule, PT/OT evaluation as needed for positioning/pressure relieving devices, weekly skin evaluation by the registered nurse (RN), pressure relief reduction equipment as indicated, and to observe for effectiveness of treatment.
On 05/20/23 LPN #13 documented the resident's family member was in to visit and questioned the multiple areas on the resident's legs. The supervisor was notified, and booties obtained and applied to the resident's feet.
Weekly Wound Care Team notes documented:
04/26/23:
-Right heel, deep tissue injury (DTI), measured 1.0 cm x 2.4 centimeters (cm), and apply barrier wipe.
-Right lateral ankle, unstageable pressure injury, measured 1.6 cm x 0.6 cm. The wound bed contained 55% granulation (healing tissue), 40% slough (yellow devitalized tissue), and 5 % eschar (black dead tissue) and apply Plurogel and Optifoam dressing daily.
05/03/23:
- Right heel DTI, measured 1.2 cm x 2.4 cm, and apply barrier wipe daily.
-Right lateral ankle unstageable pressure injury, measured 0.8 cm x 0.8 cm. The wound bed contained 20 % slough, and 80% eschar, and apply a Optifoam dressing daily.
-Left heel DTI, measured 2.5 cm x 4.5 cm, and apply barrier wipe daily.
05/10/23:
- Right heel DTI, measured 1.0 cm x 2.2 cm, and apply barrier wipe daily.
-Right lateral ankle, pressure injury unstageable, measured 0.5 cm x 0.4 cm. The wound bed contained 50% granulation and 50% slough and apply Optifoam dressing daily.
-Left heel DTI, measured 2.0 cm x 3.8 cm and apply barrier wipe daily.
-Right ischium, unstageable pressure injury, measured 2.6 cm x 2.2 cm. The wound bed contained 50 % eschar and 50 % slough and apply Plurogel with Optifoam dressing daily.
05/17/23:
- Right heel DTI, measured 1.0 cm x 2.2 cm and apply barrier wipe daily.
-Right lateral ankle unstageable pressure injury, measured 0.4 cm x 0.4 cm. The wound bed contained 100% eschar and apply Plurogel and Optifoam daily.
-Left heel DTI, measured 1.6 cm x 3.5 cm and barrier wipe daily.
-Right ischium, unstageable pressure injury measured 2.3 cm x 2.0 cm. The wound bed contained 80 % granulation tissue, and 20 % slough, and apply Plurogel with Optifoam dressing daily.
-Left great toe DTI, measured 2.0 cm x 1.2 cm and apply barrier wipe daily.
05/31/23:
-Right heel DTI healing and continue with barrier wipe daily.
- Right lateral ankle unstageable pressure injury, measured 0.6 cm x 0.8 cm. The wound bed contained 100% eschar and apply Plurogel and Optifoam daily.
- Left heel DTI declined, measured 4.5 cm x 5.5 cm, and apply barrier wipe daily.
- Right ischium unstageable pressure injury, measured 3.4 cm x 2.5 cm. The wound bed contained 80 % granulation tissue, and 20 % slough, and continue Plurogel with Optifoam daily.
-Left great toe DTI measured 1.5 cm x 1.8 and apply barrier wipe daily. Two separate areas measured as one.
The wound nurse practitioner (NP) #14 documented the resident was unable to adhere to repositioning and recommended consulting with PT/OT for wound offloading needs, pad and protect.
06/07/23:
-Right lateral ankle unstageable pressure injury, measuring 0.5 cm x 0.8 cm. The wound bed contained 10% slough and 90% eschar and apply Plurogel with Optifoam daily.
-Left heel DTI, measuring 2.2 cm x 3.5 cm, and apply barrier wipe daily.
-Right ischium pressure injury measuring 3.4 cm x 2.5 cm. The wound bed contained 80% epithelial and 20% slough and apply Plurogel and Optifoam daily. The right ischium pressure injury had declined, due to resident unable to adhere to repositioning.
-Left great toe DTI, measuring 1.6 cm x 1.4 cm and apply barrier wipe daily.
-5th right toe, unstageable pressure injury, measuring 5 cm x 1.5 cm. The wound bed contained 100% eschar and apply barrier wipe daily and as needed.
-Left lateral foot unstageable pressure injury, measuring 2.2 cm x 1.6 cm. The wound bed contained 100% eschar and apply barrier wipe daily.
NP #14 documented to use heel protectors on the resident.
06/12/23:
-Right lateral ankle unstageable pressure injury, measuring 0.8 cm x 0.8 cm. The wound bed contained 10% slough and 90% eschar and apply Plurogel with Optifoam daily.
-Left heel DTI, measuring 2.2 cm x 3.5 cm and apply barrier wipe daily.
-Right ischium pressure injury declined, measuring 2.6 cm x 1.6 cm. The wound bed contained 80% epithelial and 20% slough and apply Plurogel with Optifoam daily.
-Left great toe DTI, measuring 1.5 cm x 1.5 cm, and apply barrier wipe daily.
-5th right toe, unstageable pressure injury, measuring 5 cm x 1.5 cm. The wound bed contained 100% eschar and apply barrier wipe daily and as needed.
-Left lateral foot unstageable pressure injury, measuring 2.2 cm x 1.0 cm. The wound bed contained 100% eschar and apply barrier wipe daily.
06/28/23:
-Right lateral ankle unstageable pressure injury, measuring 0.8 cm x 1.0 cm. The wound bed contained 100% eschar and apply Plurogel and Optifoam daily.
-Left heel healed.
- Right ischium pressure injury declined, resident unable to adhere to repositioning. The wound measured 3.0 cm x 3.0 cm. The wound bed contained 80% eschar and 20% slough. Change treatment to Opticel AG (silver) daily.
-Left great toe healed.
-5th right toe unstageable pressure injury, measuring 2.5 cm x 1.5 cm. The wound bed contained 100% eschar and apply barrier wipe daily and as needed.
-Left lateral foot unstageable pressure injury, measuring 2.2 cm x 1.0 cm. The wound bed contained 100% eschar and apply barrier wipe daily.
07/05/23:
-Right lateral ankle pressure injury unstageable, measuring 0.5 cm x 0.5 cm. The wound bed contained 100% eschar and apply barrier wipe daily.
-Right ischium unstageable pressure injury, was healing and measured 2.6 cm x 2 cm, no depth. The wound bed contained 80% eschar and 20 % slough and apply Opticel AG daily.
-5th toe right foot unstageable pressure injury was healing and measured 2.5 cm x 1.2 cm. The wound contained 100% eschar and apply barrier wipe daily.
-Left lateral foot unstageable pressure injury, measuring 2.2 cm x 1.0 cm. The wound bed contained 100% eschar and barrier wipe daily and use heel protectors.
There was no evidence in the medical record the resident was evaluated by OT/PT for positioning or pressure relieving devices.
The certified nurse aide (CNA) [NAME] (care instructions) in place on 07/12/2023 included pressure relieving device to both heels and did not include the frequency in which the booties should be worn. The [NAME] did not include instructions on repositioning the resident.
Resident #4 was observed on 07/12/23 at 2:50 PM and 4:00 PM wearing a bootie on the right foot and a sock on the left foot resting on a pillow.
On 07/13/2023 Resident #4 was again observed at 8:30 AM still wearing a sock on the left foot and a bootie on the right foot.
Wound/Treatment observation on 07/13/23 at 10:00 AM, with CNA #2 and RN #2:
Right Ischium- RN #2 removed an undated Optifoam dressing from the resident's right ischium. The old dressing was saturated with brownish drainage. As the RN was removing the dressing, they stated it was a Stage 4 facility acquired pressure ulcer. The wound was circular with necrotic (black dead tissue) tissue noted to more than 75% of the wound and a small area of granulation (healing tissue) tissue towards the bottom. The surround skin was intact. There was no tunnelling or undermining however the wound was deep. RN #2 measured the wound, 3.0 cm x 2. 8 cm and depth of 1.2 cm. The RN stated due to the slough the wound was unstageable. CNA #2 stated the resident was unable to reposition themselves and was repositioned every two hours. The resident was not resistive to repositioning. Most of the time they were able to get the resident repositioned. The resident was gotten out of bed daily for a few hours. RN #2 removed the resident's right foot bootie and stated the resident gets skin prep to each area on the right foot daily. The booties were to be on at all times.
Right Lateral Ankle- To the residents right lateral ankle was a circular wound covered with dry necrotic tissue and the surround skin was intact and red. The RN stated the resident was admitted with this wound, measured 1.0 cm x 0.8 cm and was unstageable.
Right lateral foot- On the right lateral foot below the 5th toe was red wound measuring 1.3 cm x 1.0 cm and covered with eschar.
Right heel- On the residents right heel was a wound that measured 1.0 cm x 2.2 cm and contained 100% eschar, surrounding skin intact. The RN stated the resident had a DTI to the right ankle and heel upon admission and the DTI on the right lateral foot was also facility acquired.
Right 5th toe- The surveyor inquired about the bright red area on the top of the 5th toe and RN #2 stated that was new and believed that was from the seams of the resident's sock and did not think it was related to pressure.
Left Foot- RN #2 removed the bootie from the resident's left foot and stated the resident's DTI to the left heel resolved and below the left 5th toe was a scab partially falling off with intact skin underneath.
Left big toe- On the resident's left big toe was a small red circular area and the RN stated that was new, looked like a blood blister and the area may have been pinched on something. The area measured 0.5 cm x 0.8 cm.
During an interview with CNA #5 on 07/17/23 at 1:00 PM they stated Resident #4 gets out of bed daily, sometimes every other day. The resident was not able to move around, the only part of the body they were able to move themselves was the right arm. The CNA did not know if there was a [NAME] or where special instructions were documented for residents other than the care plan, which only the nurses had access to. The nurse would verbally tell the CNAs of any special instructions the resident had. They tried their best to make sure Resident #4 was repositioned every two hours but sometimes there were not able to get to it.
During an interview with LPN #13 on 08/07/23 at 12:20 PM stated they did recall on 05/20/23 when they were assigned to Resident #4. The resident's family member came in around lunch time and questioned them about the multiple open areas on the resident's feet and why the booties were not on their feet. They noticed the Resident did not have booties on, so they looked in the computer and noticed they were supposed to. The LPN called the Nursing Supervisor who came and spoke with the family and got the resident a new pair of booties.
During an interview with Unit Manager RN #15 on 08/07/2023 at 1:30 PM they stated the Resident #4 was not admitted with any pressure ulcer, was at risk due to his limited mobility and incontinence. admission orders should have included a turning and repositioning schedule due to their risk. The resident developed multiple pressure ulcers since admission, and they may not be repositioned every two hours as planned or getting the required nutrition. They did not do a root care analysis as to why the pressure ulcers developed. They were notified when they reviewed the progress notes that on 05/20/23 they did not have booties on they should have. They believed the booties were initiated after the resident's admission and they still developed areas on their heels. There should be a physician order for the booties and order for the turning and repositioning. The unit manager does do the wound rounds with the wound nurse and the provider. The wound nurse would update and initiate any changes to the resident's plan of care if any changes and or any recommendations made by the wound provider. The RN reviewed the medical record and stated they were no documentation regarding an OT/PT consult, but it would have been helpful if it had been done for tips on offloading pressure.
During an interview with NP #16 on 08/07/23 at 2:30 PM they stated they were not part of the wound team. If a skin impairment was reported to them, they would recommend a dietary consult, pressure relieving devices, and supplement. They do not write an order for turning and position as nursing will institute that. They did talk to the resident's family member a few weeks ago and told them that the resident's body was lacking something that was causing all this skin break down. The resident does not move their legs and their medical condition could cause their skin to breakdown. Good wound care, repositioning and other pressure relieving devices would be helpful. If there was pressure applied and the resident was not able to move themselves than pressure ulcers could develop.
During an interview with RN #2 on 08/16/2023 at 2:10 PM, they stated they worked at the facility per diem and would come in on Wednesdays for round wound rounds and Thursdays for charting. Wound rounds were done with a contracted provider, weekly. The wound team consisted of the provider, themselves and one or two CNAs that would assist with positioning the residents. Unit Managers were not part of the weekly wound rounds. Sometimes PT will go on round rounds and would do their own documentation on the resident. For newly developed pressure ulcers RN #2 would look at what interventions were put in place such as turn and positioning and booties. They were unsure if Resident #4 had any pressure ulcers on admission. During wound rounds the provider would assess the wound and then make recommendations of what the resident's needs, and RN #2 would communicate the recommendations to the Unit Manager for them to implement. If an OT/PT consult was recommended the Unit Manager would make that request or put in orders. RN #2 stated they did not find a OT/PT consult regarding positioning for Resident #4. Maybe it was not relayed to themselves directly by the provider and they do not review the wound provider's previous notes in preparation for wound rounds. Resident #4 was initially seen on wound rounds on 04/26/23, for a right ankle pressure ulcer and right heel pressure ulcer. Pressure relieving devices were in place at the time. The pressure ulcers on the resident's lower extremities could be caused from, user error and the booties were not on and they were up in his chair or maybe the resident was wearing sneakers. Something must have been rubbing or squeezing their feet. The pressure ulcer on the right ischium could be from the resident lying on that side. The RN does not document their evaluation of why the pressure ulcers may have developed. If the pressure ulcer was worsening or stalling it is the call of the wound care provider and they can consult their company to have another set of eyes on the wound.
During an interview with NP #18 on 08/25/23 at 11: 35 PM they stated their company was contracted to do weekly wound rounds on residents at the facility. Weekly rounds were done with facilities wound nurse RN #4, who would accompany them during rounds. The NP would evaluate the wound, took measurements and then made treatment recommendations. NP #18's recommendations for pressure ulcer would consist of ensuring appropriate pressure relieving interventions were in place. Their note was completed at the time they saw the resident and would include the evaluation and recommendations. The facility was given a copy of their note and they were responsible for following through on any recommendations the NP made. Standard protocols for preventing and treating pressure ulcers included pressure relief, adequate nutrition, treatments and physical therapy evaluations. NP #18 would follow up on any recommendations the following week by verbally asking the nurse if the recommendation was done and the result, such as a physical therapy evaluation. The NP did not recall Resident #4 but if they had documented that the resident was unable to conform to repositioning that would mean the resident was not able to reposition themselves and would need pressure relieving interventions. If there was a concern regarding a resident's vascularization in their extremities, they would document that in their note and then recommended a vascular surgeon consult. Pressure relieving was essential in preventing and healing pressure ulcers but sometimes residents had underlying medical issues such as muscular sclerosis (MS) that made them prone to breakdown and the wounds that developed could be difficult to heal.
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