RDNS Domiciliary Care Netley failed in the care of two clients found suffering with bed sores

A home-care client of RDNS SA care staff of Netley waited five days for treatment of a bed sore on their buttocks that “was full of blood, scabs, scars and the skin was off and open”.

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The Royal District Nursing Service of SA has been found non-compliant by the national watchdog after an elderly home care client’s pressure sore was left to deteriorate into a “cavity-like” wound over three weeks earlier this year.

A second client waited five days for home care treatment of a bed sore on their buttocks which “was full of blood, scabs, scars and the skin was off and open”.

That client’s care staff had identified changes to the skin, including “spots of blood on their underwear”, but did not escalate through the required reporting process.

A performance report by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission says RDNS Domiciliary Care Netley failed the quality standard for effective management of “high impact” or “high risk” care, following an assessment in June.

RDNS SA took over former Domiciliary Care services in mid-2018.

“Two consumers had changes to their sacral area (base of spine) skin integrity, which were not adequately reported, assessed, monitored, or appropriate and effective interventions implemented to prevent the development and/or deterioration of pressure injuries,” the report says.

One of the clients was found to have a “stage-three pressure injury with a cavity-like appearance” that was not treated until three weeks after first identified by care staff.

Stage-three bed sores have broken through the two top lawyers of skin into the fatty tissue below and resemble a crater-like wound that can be odorous, discoloured and can take months to heal.

RDNS SA general manager of operations Kai Schmidt said an internal review was immediately launched and measures taken to ensure such incidents do not occur again.

Mr Schmidt said these included mandatory wound education in updated training for all RDNS staff, review of wound care policies and procedures, and adding an electronic wound care system to digitally document and manage wound care.

He said RDNS staff had “a strong reputation and track record in wound management” and that “failure to meet our high standards is taken seriously”.

SA opposition human services spokeswoman Nat Cook said subcontracting arrangements in home care services needed greater scrutiny by state and federal governments.

To make a report, phone [phone] or go online at agedcarequality.gov.au