Countrywood Nursing Center was cited after failing to provide a resident with Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). The resident was a “full code status,” meaning he was to receive CPR if found unresponsive. When a staff member found the resident cold and not moving in bed, CPR was not given as ordered. The resident ultimately passed away.

The investigator of this citation reviewed nursing notes and conducted interviews to determine why CPR was not provided. According to a note, the resident had a “decline in status and had removed his [medical condition] mask.” The note said the resident continued to remove his mask and try to get out of bed on his own. When a nurse entered the room and found the resident’s mask on the floor, she noted he was cold to the touch when trying to reapply the mask.

The interviewer spoke with the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) who found the resident unresponsive. She stated the following:

I went into [the resident’s] room and noted the [medical condition] mask to be on the floor, I picked it up to replace it and when I touched the resident’s arm, it fell to the floor. I remembered the resident was a full code, so I proceeded to walk down the hall to the utility room, grabbed the crash cart, went behind the nurses’ desk and grabbed my stethoscope, checked the resident’s medical record to verify the code status and then I called the Registered Nurse (RN) on call to verify what to do. Upon talking to the RN, I was told not to perform CPR because at this point I would be doing more harm than good.

The interviewer asked the LPN if she was aware of the facility’s CPR policy. The LPN stated no. An interview with the Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed there “was no reprimand neither was re-education provided” to the LPN after the incident.

Review of the facility’s Emergency Procedure-Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation revealed the following:

If an individual (resident, visitor, or staff member) is found unresponsive and not breathing normally, a licensed staff member who is certified in CPR/BLS (Basic Life Support) shall initiate CPR unless;

  • It is known that a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order specifically prohibits CPR and/or external defibrillation exists for that individual; or
  • There are obvious signs of irreversible death (e.g., rigor mortis).

In response to the incident, the facility immediately provided CPR education for the nursing staff present. The Social Service Director completed a chart review of all current residents, noting at-risk residents with a full code status. All licensed and registered staff off duty were contacted via phone and required to attend a facility-wide meeting. All staff received a mandatory training to review Policy and Procedure on CPR and review identified at-risk residents with full code status. In addition, staff members were instructed to notify the DON when at-risk residents had a significant change in condition and/or when emergency procedures were initiated.

Don’t Wait. Get Help for Nursing Home Abuse Today.

If you suspect nursing home abuse, we will provide a free, confidential case evaluation with no obligation to hire us. With nearly 250 years of shared experience, Joye Law Firm attorneys are consistently recognized by clients and peers at the highest level of professional excellence. We make sure to fight hard for our clients and are honest with them every step of the way.

About the Author

Mark Joye is the Head of the Litigation Department at the Joye Law Firm. A Board-Certified Trial Advocate with nearly 30 years of litigation experience, he currently serves on the Board of Governors for the American Association for Justice and is a past president of the South Carolina Association for Justice. In a recent trial, Joye headed a trial team that secured $17 million for a family killed in a tractor-trailer accident.

Recent Blog Post
Image of a doctor examining a patient complaining of back pain
What is Maximum Medical Improvement?

Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) is integral to personal injury cases and can affect how much compensation you receive. Read on to learn the significance of MMI in personal injury claims and understand why waiting until you reach this stage is…

What to Do in South Carolina: Staff Picks 9/19/23 – 9/25/23

At Joye Law Firm, we’re not only dedicated to providing excellent legal services but also to being an active part of the vibrant communities we serve in South Carolina. This week, we’ve handpicked some exciting events happening near our offices…

What to Do in South Carolina: Staff Picks 9/12/23 – 9/18/23

South Carolina continues to buzz with exciting events this week, and our team has once again curated a selection of handpicked experiences just for you. Whether you call South Carolina home or are passing through this beautiful state, these events…

The Impact of Pre-existing Conditions on Personal Injury Claims

A personal injury claim can be complex, but even more so when a pre-existing condition is involved. As experienced personal injury lawyers in Myrtle Beach, we have seen firsthand how a pre-existing condition can affect the outcome of a personal…

Awards & Recognition
Media
CBS News
Fox
NBC
ABC