Finding Description
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on review of clinical records, as well as staff interviews, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure that the residents' environment remained free of accident hazards caused by residents with aggressive behaviors for four of 33 residents reviewed (Residents 44, 58, 61, 63).
Findings include:
A quarterly Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment (a mandated assessment of a resident's abilities and care needs) for Resident 14, dated December 15, 2023, revealed that she was understood, could understand, and had a diagnosis of dementia. A care plan for the resident, dated September 8, 2023, revealed that the resident had an alteration in behavior related to abusive attacks on staff and/or other residents; verbally abusive, threatening behaviors; argumentative with staff; yells at staff and other residents, and a history of resident-to-resident altercations. Staff were to intervene as needed to protect the rights and safety of others, approach/speak in a calm manner, divert attention, remove from situation and take to another location as needed.
A nursing note for Resident 14, dated December 25, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. revealed that the resident was hollering at the residents in the dining room and singled one resident out, threatening to hit her with her hands clenched in fists. Residents were separated and Resident 14 was in her room at this time. A nursing note at 7:10 p.m. revealed that the resident went into Resident 58's room hollering at the resident. This licensed practical nurse went down the hall to see what was going on. Resident 14 was shaking Resident 58 and hit the resident in the stomach with a closed fist several times. The licensed practical nurse told the resident to stop, and she pushed Resident 58 and made the resident stumble out of her room. The licensed practical nurse told the resident that she cannot hit or push other residents and the resident insisted that this is her house and that Resident 58 was burning it down.
A nursing note for Resident 14, dated January 5, 2024, revealed that during breakfast another resident began speaking inappropriately to this resident, and she in turn, began verbally making comments that she would punch the other resident.
A nursing note for Resident 14, dated March 20, 2024, revealed that the writer was called to the unit at 8:30 p.m. by the licensed practical nurse reporting that the resident had slapped Resident 63's arm while in the hallway. The incident was witnessed by the hospitality aide who had reported it to the licensed practical nurse. The licensed practical nurse immediately separated the two residents. Upon entry to the unit both residents were away from one another and resting in their wheelchairs with staff nearby. Neither resident could give a description of what had occurred.
A significant change in status MDS assessment for Resident 117, dated June 8, 2023, revealed that the resident was usually understood, usually understands, and had diagnoses that included dementia and schizophrenia (a serious mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves). A care plan for the resident, dated September 21, 2023, revealed that the resident had exhibited behaviors of playing in his food, taking items, wandering (to move around or go to different places usually without having a particular purpose or direction), abusive language, sexually-inappropriate behaviors, and threatening behaviors. If the resident was wandering in the hallway, attempt to keep him away from other residents, keep the resident out of reach of other residents when feasible, and when in the dining room for meals and activities attempt to keep the resident out of reach of other resident to prevent future incidents.
A nursing note for Resident 44, dated July 16, 2023, revealed that the nurse aide hollered for the licensed practical nurse to come help her. The nurse aide stated, Resident 117 hit Resident 44 on the back. Resident 44 was standing in room [ROOM NUMBER] behind the nurse aide. The registered nurse was notified after Resident 117 was taken to his room.
A nursing note for Resident 117, dated September 8, 2023, at 1:22 p.m. revealed that the licensed practical nurse on the floor notified the registered nurse that this resident kicked Resident 58 in the leg and caused her to fall to the floor with minor injuries noted. Upon arrival to the unit the resident was in the hallway in his wheelchair. When asked what happened he refused to say anything. The licensed practical nurse stated that he told her he kicked Resident 58 after she kicked him. Resident 58 denied kicking him. The resident continues to self-propel in the hallway currently. A nursing note at 1:28 p.m. revealed that the licensed practical nurse notified the registered nurse that the resident punched Resident 44 in the buttocks as she walked away from him. Upon arrival, the resident was seen sitting in his room. The resident refused to explain what happened.
A statement Social Worker 3, dated September 8, 2023, revealed that he was completing MDS's in his office around 1:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. when a nurse aide called him into the hallway to help keep Resident 117 away from Resident 58. He brought Resident 117 to his office and spoke about what happened. Resident 117 said, I was going into her room, she told me to get out, she turned around and I kicked her in the butt. Resident 117 was in the office for about 15 to 20 minutes when the phone rang. Social Worker 3 answered and spoke on the phone and when he hung up, Resident 117 was no longer in his office.
A quarterly MDS assessment for Resident 58, dated February 29, 2024, revealed that the resident was understood, understands, and had a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. A care plan for the resident, dated February 23, 2023, revealed that the resident is/has a potential to be physically aggressive.
A nursing note for Resident 58, dated March 19, 2024, revealed that the licensed practical nurse notified the registered nurse at 6:30 p.m. that the resident had hit Resident 61 once in the back and another time in the left breast.
Following the above incidents, there was no documented evidence that the facility analyzed the key times, places, circumstances, and triggers that caused the multiple episodes of resident-to-resident altercations.
Interview with the Nursing Home Administrator on April 10, 2024, at 10:24 a.m. confirmed that Resident 117 had an altercation with Resident 58 and after the altercation then went and had an altercation with Resident 44. She indicated that Social Worker 3 should have gotten someone else to watch Resident 117 when he received the phone call.
28 Pa. Code 211.12(d)(5) Nursing Services.