Failure to Administer Seizure Medications Leads to Resident's Hospitalization
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident with epilepsy received their prescribed seizure medications, leading to a serious incident. The resident, who had a history of epilepsy and other medical conditions, was admitted to the facility but did not receive their prescribed medications, including Lyrica, lacosamide, and Risperdal. This oversight resulted in the resident experiencing continual tonic-clonic seizures, which required emergency medical intervention and transfer to a hospital's neurological ICU. The deficiency was further compounded by the facility's failure to notify the physician about the resident not receiving their medications and the subsequent seizure activity. The resident's mother, who was the primary caregiver, was assured by the facility that all necessary medications were available, but this was not the case. The resident's condition deteriorated, and despite the mother's efforts to provide medication from home, the facility did not have the necessary medications on hand, nor did they promptly address the situation with the physician. The facility's documentation and communication failures were evident in the lack of recorded doses of critical medications and the absence of timely physician notification. The resident's medical records showed discrepancies in medication orders and administration, contributing to the resident's severe condition. The facility's policies on medication administration and change in resident condition were not followed, leading to the resident's critical health episode.
Removal Plan
- Resident #76 was transferred to the hospital for seizure like activity.
- Upon review of the medical record, the DON identified that Resident #76 did not receive his scheduled Lyrica, lacosamide and Risperdal. A self-imposed plan of correction (SIPOC) was completed.
- SIPOC included review of resident charts who had been admitted within the last 30 days by the DON/Designee, to ensure all physician's orders were transcribed correctly and are administered per order, and all resident medications are available to be administered at the facility.
- Facility nurses were educated by the DON/designee regarding medication order transcription as well as documentation of medication administration, including medications not available and on order from pharmacy, physician notification, and alternate medication administration and representative (RP) notifications.
- The Medical Director was notified via AD Hoc Quality Assurance Review. Review of processes for medication transcription, medication administration and notification of medications not available to physicians and RP.
- The DON completed education to all licensed nurses regarding admission order transcription and obtaining medications from the pharmacy.
- All residents admitted within the last 30 days were reviewed by the DON and/or the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON), to ensure all orders were transcribed accurately and all medications were available for administration and no discrepancies were identified.
- The DON/Designee will complete a comprehensive medication order review of all admissions/readmissions within 24 hours to verify accuracy of order transcription and availability of medication for administration.
- The facility has had three admissions (Resident #40, Resident #72, and Resident #75), and all medication orders were audited to be accurate and ensure medication availability.
- New admissions and readmissions will continue to be reviewed for transcription accuracy and availability of medications for 4 weeks and reviewed with Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) for compliance.
- Education was initiated by Staff Development Coordinator (SDC) #158 with licensed nurses on Seizures: Clinical Protocol, Assessment and Recognition.
- An Ad hoc Policy Review was held with the Administrator, DON, Regional Director of Clinical Services (RDCS) #103, and the Medical Director to confirm the systems implemented and reviewed to ensure that residents receive medications as ordered by the physician and to meet their total care needs.
- The DON and the ADON verified all prescribed medications for current residents have been transcribed accurately. Current orders were verified for all residents with no discrepancies identified.
- All residents were assessed by the DON, the ADON, and/or Infection Preventionist (IP) Registered Nurse (RN) #176. Four residents were noted to have a change in condition and physicians/physician assistants were notified per policy and orders received as indicated.
- All licensed nurses were re-educated by the DON and/or SDC #158 on the policies and procedures for Admission Assessment and Follow Up: Role of the Nurse, Reconciliation of Medications on Admission, Administering Medications, Change in Resident's Condition or Status, and the procedure for obtaining medications from pharmacy if not available.
- Previously initiated seizure education was also completed at this time. Education to include 13 licensed nurses. Agency staff will be educated upon arrival for and prior to their scheduled shift. All newly hired licensed nurses will be educated at the time of orientation.
- An Ad hoc Resident Council meeting was held with Activities Director #115 and the DON to review the process for obtaining medications and change in resident condition notification.
- The DON/Designee will complete a comprehensive medication order review of admission/readmission charts within 24 hours of admission/readmission.
- Medication orders will be verified for accurate transcription and implementation of medications, and proper medication administration of ordered medications.
- The DON/Designee will complete ongoing auditing of medical records to ensure changes in condition are reported per policy. Ad hoc education will be completed as indicated.
- Admission and readmission orders will be reviewed for transcription and receipt of medications from pharmacy for 4 weeks and reviewed by QAPI for continued compliance.
- Review of all resident medication availability and administration will continue 5 times/week for 4 weeks with QAPI review for compliance.
Penalty
Resources
Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:
Trusted data from CMS and state health departments
Every citation, penalty and Plan of Correction is sourced from public CMS records (latest release May 27, 2026) and official state health department websites — never guesswork.
Trusted by long-term care providers and associations.



