Failure to Administer IV Antibiotics Timely
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to administer intravenous (IV) antibiotics in a timely manner for a resident who was admitted with endocarditis and multiple fractures. According to the facility's policy, medications are to be administered within one hour before or after their prescribed time unless otherwise specified. The resident was prescribed ceftriaxone 2 grams IV every 12 hours for 38 days. Record review showed that the administration times for both morning and evening doses of ceftriaxone frequently fell outside the required one-hour window, with some doses being administered several hours late. The resident, who was cognitively intact, reported that the IV antibiotic was not given consistently every 12 hours and that the timing varied by several hours. Review of the Medication Administration Record (MAR) for the month revealed multiple instances where the 8 AM and 8 PM doses were administered late, sometimes by more than four hours. During an interview, the Director of Nursing acknowledged and agreed with these findings.