NC Nursing Home Resident Suffers Stage IV Bedsore Due to Proper Treatment Delayed

GOLDEN LIVING CENTER – GREENVILLE

LOCATED: 2910 MACGREGOR DOWNS, GREENVILLE, NC 27834

GOLDEN LIVING CENTER – GREENVILLE was cited by the DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES for the following deficiencies:

PLEASE NOTE: The following text is only a portion of the full report/survey submitted by DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES. The full report/survey can be found here.

FACILITY FAILED TO GIVE RESIDENTS PROPER TREATMENT TO PREVENT NEW BED (PRESSURE) SORES OR HEAL EXISTING BED SORES.

LEVEL OF HARM –ACTUAL HARM
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY**
Based on observation, physician interview, physician assistant interview, staff interview, and record review the facility failed to avoid delays in obtaining an order to test for [MEDICAL CONDITION] (C. diff), in changing pressure sore treatments for wounds which were not healing, in providing protein supplementation to promote healing, in scheduling a consult with the wound clinic for debridement, in re-culturing for [DIAGNOSES REDACTED], and in addressing leakage around a rectal tube for 1 of 2 sampled residents (Resident #346) reviewed for pressure ulcers.

Before the facility provided Resident #346 with wound clinic consultation/debridement on 01/15/16 the resident’s sacral pressure ulcer deteriorated from a stage I to a stage IV pressure ulcer, and the resident’s gluteal crease/buttock deep tissue injury (DTI) opened and deteriorated/enlarged into two stage III pressure ulcers to the bilateral buttocks.

At 1:57 PM on 01/29/16 the DON reported she observed all wounds greater than a stage II weekly even though it might not be with the Treatment Nurse. She stated there was a quick decline in Resident #346’s wounds. According to the DON, zinc barrier cream to the edges and surrounding tissue of stage III and IV wounds would be appropriate, but if there was slough in the wound bed, she would expect there to be a [MEDICATION NAME] agent used on it. She stated even though she observed Resident #346’s wounds she had not observed the Treatment Nurse perform wound care on the resident. The DON also commented even though it was unusual to find DTIs to the buttocks, they could form anywhere. The DON reported she could not explain why it took so long to collect a stool sample and check for [DIAGNOSES REDACTED] or why a stool re-culture was not collected as ordered on [DATE]. She commented the referral was made to the wound clinic because Resident #346’s wounds were not healing. She remarked when a physician order [REDACTED]. She stated she was not notified that there was any trouble getting the resident an appointment at the wound clinic. The DON reported every wound was different so it could be two days to two weeks before changing treatments if wounds were not healing. According to the DON, she was not notified that the rectal tube was leaking/seeping until 01/27/16 when the surveyor was making her wound treatment observation.

Personal Note from NHA-Advocates: NHAA shares with all the families of loved ones who are confined to nursing homes the pain and anguish of putting them in the care of someone else. We expect our loved ones to be treated with dignity and honor in the homes we place them. We cannot emphasize enough to family members of nursing home residents; frequent visits are essential to our loved ones’ well-being and safety. This nursing home and many others across the country are cited for abuse and neglect.

Full Article & Source:

RESIDENT SUFFERS STAGE IV BEDSORE DUE TO PROPER TREATMENT DELAYED

See Also:
Nursing Home Abuse Advocates