Inspection Findings:
Based on interview and record review it was determined the facility failed to ensure bowel care was appropriately provided to 1 of 5 sampled residents (#17) reviewed for medications. This placed residents at risk for bowel complications. Findings include:
Resident 17 was admitted to the facility in 2021 with diagnoses including Parkinson's disease (central nervous system disorder), pancreatitis (inflammation and swelling of the pancreas) and dementia.
The 6/26/22 Annual MDS revealed the resident had a BIMS of three (severe cognitive impairment) and was incontinent of bowel with no constipation present.
The resident's 5/18/21 Care Plan lacked information regarding her/his multiple three to five day periods without having a documented BM (bowel movement).
Resident 17's medical record revealed the following PRN bowel care protocol:
-Miralax Powder (osmotic type laxative, holds water in the stool) daily every morning, or PRN bowel care for no BM (bowel movement) in 48 hours.
-Senna (stimulant laxative, increases intestinal activity) daily at HS, or PRN bowel care for no BM in 48 hours.
-Dulcolax Suppository (stimulant laxative) PRN bowel care if no BM when the Miralax or Senna are not effective within 24 hours.
-Docusate Sodium (combination of stool softener and laxative) every 24 hours PRN for bowel care.
-Tap water enema (used to stimulate a BM), if Dulcolax suppository does not yield at least medium stool results within eight hours, may repeat one time PRN for bowel care.
Resident 17's 5/2022 through 8/2022 MAR/TARs and medical record revealed the following information:
*May 2022:
5/11/22 at 10:25 PM through 5/14/22 at 9:34 PM: three days (nine shifts) without a documented BM.
5/30/22 at 4:46 AM through 6/3/22 at 1:09 PM: four days (14 shifts) without a documented BM.
Bowel care medications provided:
-Docusate Sodium:
5/11/22 at 11:07 AM, results noted as "I" (Ineffective).
5/22/22 at 11:55 AM, results note as "U" (Unknown).
-Senna:
5/15/22 at 12:02 PM, results noted as "I."
5/16/22 at 9:58 AM, results noted as "E" (Effective).
5/19/22 at 12:37 PM, results noted as "E."
*June 2022:
6/3/22 at 8:58 PM through 6/7/22 at 9:27 PM: four days (13 shifts) without a documented BM.
6/8/22 at 9:18 PM through 6/12/22 at 11:15 PM: four days (13 shifts) without a documented BM.
6/18/22 at 1:54 PM through 6/22/22 at 8:30 PM: four days (12 shifts) without a documented BM.
6/23/22 at 8:58 AM through 6/27/22 at 5:30 AM: four days (13 shifts) without a documented BM.
Bowel care medications provided:
-Docusate Sodium:
6/1/22 at 2:52 PM, results noted as "I."
6/2/22 at 8:12 PM, results noted as "I."
6/7/22 at 1:38 PM, results noted as "I."
6/21/22 at 1:25 PM, results noted as "I."
6/25/22 at 9:28 PM, results noted as "refused."
6/26/22 at 9:28 AM, results noted as "I."
-Senna:
6/2/22 at 12:15 PM, results noted as "I."
6/6/22 at 8:50 AM, results noted as "I."
6/11/22 at 8:26 AM, results noted as "I."
6/12/22 at 8:18 AM, results noted as "I."
6/21/22 at 9:56 PM, results noted as "I."
6/22/22 at 8:43 AM, results noted as "I."
6/25/22 at 8:28 AM, results noted as "I."
-Dulcolax Suppository:
6/12/22 at 7:22 PM, results noted as "U."
6/22/22 at 7:04 PM, results noted as "E."
*July 2022:
7/2/22 at 9:42 PM through 7/7/22 at 1:31 PM: five days (15 shifts) without a documented BM.
Bowel care medications provided:
-Senna:
7/5/22 at 1:22 PM, results noted as "I."
7/6/22 at 12:21 PM, results noted as "I."
7/7/22 at 1:10 PM, results noted as "I."
7/19/22 at 9:31 AM, results noted as "I."
7/20/22 at 8:49 AM, results noted as "I."
-Dulcolax Suppository:
7/6/22 at 12:27 PM, noted as resident "refused."
7/7/22 at 1:10 PM, noted as resident "refused."
7/8/22 at 6:56 PM, results noted as "U."
7/20/22 at 3:57 AM, results noted as "E."
7/25/22 at 12:10 PM, results noted as "E."
-Miralax Powder:
17 gm; PRN:
7/7/22 at 1:10 PM, results noted as "I."
*August:
8/7/22 at 8:21 PM through 8/11/22 4:38 PM: four days (12 shifts) without a documented BM.
Bowel care medications provided:
-Senna:
8/6/22 at 8:27 AM, results were documented as "E."
8/11/22 at 12:50 PM, results were documented "E."
-Miralax:
8/11/22 at 12:50 PM, results were documented as "E."
From 5/11/22 through 8/11/22 Resident 17 experienced multiple periods of three to five days without having a documented BM. The resident's PRN bowel care medications were not administered according to the physician's protocol and there was a lack of follow up provided when the medications were documented as ineffective or the results were unknown.
On 8/12/22 at 9:54 AM Staff 22 (Licensed Nurse) stated when residents have a BM it was documented in the Task system and when a resident did not have a BM it was reported to the charge nurse.
On 8/12/22 at 9:57 AM Staff 8 (LPN) acknowledged Resident 17 was not having regular BMs and required PRN bowel care. Staff 8 stated their system triggered an alert if a resident went 48 hours without a BM, so Miralax was offered and a bowel care list was generated. The bowel care list was provided to the day shift charge nurses to follow up.
In an interview on 8/12/22 at 10:10 AM Staff 7 (LPN) stated Resident 17 was on the bowel list frequently. Staff 7 indicated the senna usually worked for her/him and she/he sometimes refused the PRN bowel medications. Staff 7 stated they also tried prune juice or apple juice along with the Miralax or senna.
On 8/12/22 at 1:24 PM Staff 2 (DNS) and this surveyor reviewed Resident 17's bowel care and staff failure to follow her/his physician-order protocol. Staff 2 confirmed the resident's BMs were tracked in their system and alerted staff when PRN interventions were required. Staff 2 voiced understanding regarding Resident 17's frequent periods without BMs and the need to ensure the bowel care protocol was administered and monitored appropriately.
Plan of Correction:
Resident #17 bowel care needs were met.
All residents are potentially impacted who have bowel care protocols in place.
RCMs and LN staff in-serviced on bowel care protocols.
The DNS or assigned designee will complete 100% audit of residents who are on bowel care protocols.
All described audits will be completed weekly for 4 weeks then on a monthly basis for 3 months to ensure ongoing compliance.
Any adverse findings will be addressed immediately, and then presented at the following Quality Assurance (QA) Meeting.