Resident reported that he swallowed an AAA battery. APRN was notified and x-ray was ordered. X-ray confirms foreign object in abdomen. APRN consulted children’s hospital and ordered for him to be taken in for consult. Resident was taken to Children’s Hospital via our transportation. The resident reports that the took the battery out of the classroom. He got it from a reading device he was using.
Corrective action taken by the agency or follow up done: resident returned from the hospital with orders to monitor for 2 days, clear liquids and then have a follow-up x-ray to make sure the object is moving as it should. Risk assessment was complete, the resident is on self-harm precautions and has a staff with him at this time.
Licensing narrative: Licensing Specialist will inquire about the health of the resident and any special health requirements administered by staff for the resident pertaining to the reported incident. 6/29/2023- facility responded stating that the resident complained of pain on 6/28/23 so he was taken to the hospital where he was given a laxative and stayed overnight for observation. The resident passed the battery and has been released back to the facility. 7/5/2023 – specialist spoke to [REDACTED] regarding the incident. Residents were in the classroom watching TV. Residents were allowed access to the TV remote while watching TV. Staff will limit access to TV remotes for residents by keeping the remotes out of the classrooms and at the desk of the receptionist. When staff or residents want to watch TV, the staff in each classroom will go and retrieve the remotes from the receptionist. Only staff will handle remotes for the residents. Staff will also check the remotes before the residents leave the classroom to ensure the batteries are still in the remote. Staff supervise the residents in the classroom as if the residents were doing school work. The staff to resident ratio is 1:6. Swallowed the battery because he saw another resident do the same and received a lot of attention. Resident was referred to acute treatment but was not accepted to acute treatment.