BALLARD NURSING CENTER
LOCATED: 201 WEST 5TH STREET, ADA, OK 74820
BALLARD NURSING CENTER was recently cited by the DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES for the following deficiencies:

PLEASE NOTE: The following highlighted quoted 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 NOTIFY PHYSICIAN AND OBTAIN NEW ORDERS WHEN PRESSURE ULCERS INCREASED IN SIZE

Level of harm – Actual Harm

Based on observation, record review and staff and resident interviews, it was determined the facility failed to: a) Notify the physician and obtain new orders when two pressure ulcers increased in size and stage for one (#13) of four sampled residents. This resulted in harm to the resident. b) Identify, notify the physician or obtain orders for one pressure sore on the resident’s buttock and failed to assess and monitor the pressure ulcers on the resident’s heels for one (#9) of four sampled residents. This resulted in harm to the resident. 

Continuing: On 04/07/14 at 9:10 p.m., resident #13 was interviewed. The resident reported she felt her pressure ulcers on her heels were getting worse. The resident reported she had gone to a wound clinic prior to admission and reported she believed the wounds needed debridement. The resident reported she had asked staff to send her to a wound clinic. The resident stated, I have asked repeatedly to see Dr. (name deleted). The resident reported she was told by staff she would have to wait until the 27th of April to see the physician.

Continuing: The physician reported pressure due to diabetes and the resident being very non-compliant. The physician was asked how the pressure wounds to the resident’s heels were progressing. The physician stated, To be honest with you I haven’t looked at them. I saw her yesterday but didn’t look at the wounds. I rely on the nurses. The physician was asked if the nurses had notified her of the wounds increasing in size over the last couple of weeks. The physician stated, Could have I don’t remember.

Continuing: There were no physician orders documented in the clinical record for the resident to be sent to the wound clinic for evaluation.

Continuing: On 04/14/14 at 9:30 a.m., the DON was interviewed in regard to the pressure ulcers increasing in size over the past two weeks and was asked if she thought the nurses should have notified the physician and received a change in treatment. The DON stated, Yes.

Personal Note from NHAA 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.
You can make a difference. If you have a loved one living in this nursing home or any other nursing home where you suspect any form of abuse or neglect, contact us immediately. We can help you file a state complaint, hire a specialized nursing home attorney or help you find a more suitable location for your loved one.
Contact us through our CONTACT FORM located on our website here or call our toll free hot line number: 1-800-645-5262
You can make a difference even if your loved one has already passed away.