Inspection Findings:
Based on interview and record review it was determined the facility failed to ensure residents received appropriate care and services for a feeding tube for 1 of 1 sampled resident (#42) reviewed for feeding tubes. This placed residents at risk for complications related to the use of a feeding tube including infection. Findings include:
Resident 42 was admitted to the facility in 7/2023 with a PEG tube in place (tube feed) and diagnoses including stroke and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).
According to the 6/2014 National Library of Medicine, the PEG tube (a feeding tube placed in your stomach held by a balloon that is inflated with sterile water), along with T-tacks (buttons on the exterior skin that help hold the stomach up against the abdominal wall) was inserted during the resident's 7/7/23 hospitalization for dysphagia secondary to stroke based on the resident's lack of ability to safely consume fluids.
A 7/7/23 hospital discharge summary stated the T-tacks were to be removed at an outpatient clinic in four weeks. The clinic's phone number was provided for the facility to make a follow up appointment.
A 7/13/23 physician's order indicated Resident 42 was to receive nutrition via feeding tube.
The 7/26/23 Tube Feeding CAA indicated Resident 42 had a PEG tube and received nutrition via the feeding tube.
a. Resident 42's care was followed by the facility's house physician and Staff 24 (Physician Assistant).
A review of provider notes from Staff 24 revealed:
An 7/26/23 note indicated the resident was to visit the outpatient clinic to have the T-tacks removed in two weeks.
An 8/2/23 note indicated the resident was to have the T-tacks removed in one week and he noted the PEG tube site had some irritation and redness.
An 8/7/23 note indicated the resident, "needs a follow up promptly for the T-tack removal at the very least (I don't see that this was done), as well as PEG tube removal if deemed appropriate. Discussed with nursing and social service to coordinate."
An 8/14/23 note indicated, "the resident has on-going discomfort at her/his PEG tube site. This has still not been removed despite orders for this to be done last week... Discussed again with resident care manager as well as social services who assures me all is being done to proceed with this removal."
An 8/21/23 note indicated the resident was still having pain around her/his PEG tube site and the PEG tube was still in place and stated, "Discussed again with nursing today and not sure what else can be done to speed up this process."
An 9/4/23 note indicated speech therapy would advance the resident's diet and the resident needed a repeat swallow study and stated, "Again, referred for T-tack and PEG removal. This has been discussed four to five times with staff at [facility]."
An 9/11/23 note indicated the resident still had the PEG tube with T-tacks in place and the resident asked when they both would be removed, "The resident is somewhat emotional about the pain she is feeling ... Again, discussed T-tack and PEG tube removal on 9/4/23 and 9/11/23 with the DNS at [facility] with no action taken thus far, will follow up in one week."
An 9/20/23 note indicated Resident 42 asked when the PEG tube and T-tacks would be removed. The resident heard it was scheduled but facility staff did not communicate that to the resident.
Staff 24's provider notes on 9/27/23, 10/2/23, 10/9/23, 10/16/23 and 10/25/23 indicated the PEG tube and T-tack removal was still being scheduled and was pending.
A 10/30/23 note indicated the resident stated the PEG tube fell out last week and she/he did not have pain or discomfort when it occurred. Resident 42 did complain of abdominal discomfort and swelling. Staff 24 ordered an x-ray to be completed.
On 11/3/23 a x-ray of Resident 42's abdomen was performed. The findings included, "There is no intestinal obstruction. Comparison with 8/1/23 view there are clips in the left upper abdomen."
A review of Resident 42's 8/2023 TAR and progress notes revealed:
On the 8/5/23 TAR, Resident 42 received her/his last tube feed treatment.
A 9/11/23, 9/13/23, and 9/15/23 progress note indicated Staff 2 (DNS) and Staff 16 (Social Services Director) sent referrals to multiple different gastroenterologist clinics, more than one month after the order was received to remove the T-tacks.
A 10/26/23 progress note from Staff 33 (LPN) stated a CNA notified Staff 33 that Resident 42's PEG tube fell out. Staff 33 indicated the PEG tube was on the bed next to the resident. The balloon at the end of the tube was deflated and no stitching was noted. There was no bleeding from the PEG tube site, but redness was noted. A small amount of drainage was present and a new bandage was applied. The resident denied any pain or discomfort to area. Staff 33 notified Staff 24 and no new orders were received.
In an interview on 11/29/23 at 9:11 AM Staff 24 stated he followed Resident 42's care since her/his admission to the facility. Staff 24 stated he read on the 7/7/23 hospital discharge summary the resident needed the T-tacks removed in four weeks and eventually the PEG tube when appropriate. Staff 24 stated he submitted several referrals for PEG tube and T-tack removal to the facility nursing management and discussed the delay with Staff 2 (DNS). Ultimately, Resident 42's PEG tube fell out, but it was unclear if the T-tacks were still in place. Staff 24 indicated if a foreign body, like the T-tacks, were still in the resident it could cause pain, infection, or other complications.
On 11/29/23 at 9:33 AM Resident 42 stated she/he had a PEG tube upon arrival to the facility and worked with speech therapy to upgrade her/his diet and eventually did not need the PEG tube for nutrition and hydration. She/he stated facility staff tried to schedule an appointment for the PEG tube and T-tack removal, but "they were #62 in line on hold with the hospital and could not wait that long as they had other residents to care for. Then one day in October 2023 the PEG tube fell out on its own." When asked if the resident had any pain at the PEG tube site, she/he stated it hurt when she/he completed a sit to stand transfer from the wheelchair to the bed. She/he stated, "I can feel right now where the T-tacks are, my skin has grown over them." Resident 42 stated she/he continues to have ongoing pain.
On 12/4/23 at 12:12 PM Staff 7 acknowledged the T-tacks were to be removed the week of 8/31/23 (four weeks after hospital discharge) and 122 days later the resident still did not have an appointment scheduled. Staff 7 acknowledged the lack of follow up care for Resident 42's PEG tube and T-tack management.
b. A 7/13/23 physician's order indicated Resident 42 was to receive water flushes three times per day to her/his PEG tube until 9/8/23. A new physician's order on 9/9/23 indicated Resident 42 was to receive water flushes four times per day to her/his PEG tube.
The August, September, and October 2023 TARs revealed multiple days the resident did not receive water flushes to the PEG tube.
8/2023 TAR no water flush:
8/5/23 1500, 8/5/23 1900, 8/6/23 1500, 8/6/23 1900, 8/9/23 1900 and 8/21/23 1500
9/2023 TAR no water flush:
9/4/23 1900, 9/14/23 0500, 9/15/23 0500, 9/15/23 1700, 9/15/23 2300, 9/16/23 0500, 9/17/23 1100, 9/17/23 1700, 9/18/23 0500, 9/21/23 1100, 9/21/23 1700, 9/22/23 1100, 9/22/23 1700, 9/23/23 2300, 9/24/23 0500, 9/26/23 1700, 9/27/23 2300, and 9/28/23 0500.
A 9/14/23 progress note from Staff 38 (LPN) stated, "1700 water flush to PEG tube unable to be completed due to low staff."
10/2023 TAR no water flush:
10/3/23 1700, 10/4/23 0500, 10/5/23 0500, 10/13/23 1700 and 10/25/23 1700.
On 12/1/23 at 3:04 PM Staff 13 (LPN) stated she recalled Resident 42's physician order stated to complete water flushes to the PEG tube four times a day. Staff 13 stated the PEG tube still needed to be flushed even after she/he did not use tube feeding for nutrition or hydration.
On 12/4/23 at 12:12 PM Staff 7 acknowledged the staff did not follow the physicians order for water flushes to the resident's PEG tube.