HospitalInspections.org

Based on interview and record review, the facility's registered nurse (RN) did not supervise and evaluate the nursing care for 3 of 11 (Patient #2, #7, and #11) patients in that, the telemetry monitor did not record a telemetry strip every 4 hours per hospital policy.

Findings included:

Patient #2 was admitted on 02/02/18 for a distal femur fracture with an order for continuous telemetry monitoring. On 02/04/18 Patient #2's chart evidenced a telemetry strip at 0045, 0823 and 0909. Patient #2 was found in his room on 02/05/18 at 0218 deceased some 17 hours and 9 minutes later.

Patient #7 was admitted on 03/01/18 for intractable nausea and vomiting with an order for continuous telemetry monitoring. On 03/03/03 Patient #7's chart evidenced a telemetry strip at 0400, 0808, 1200, 1609, and 1947. The next telemetry strip was recorded on 03/04/18 at 0330 some 7 hours and 43 minutes later.

Patient #11 was admitted on 03/05/18 for congestive heart failure and possible pneumonia with an order for continuous telemetry monitoring. On 03/06/18 Patient #11's chart evidenced a telemetry strip at 0344, 0757,and 1157, the next strip was recorded at
1935 some 7 hours and 38 minutes later.

During an electronic chart review on 03/08/18 ending at 1245 personnel #3 verified the above findings.

The Policy titled Admission Criteria and Discontinuation for Telemetry Monitoring dated 08/24/16 reflected..." Page 2 Ongoing Monitoring: 1. Cardiac telemetry strips will be recorded every 4 hours..."