Unlicensed Staff Administered Medication Against Resident's Wishes
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to follow professional standards of practice for medication administration for a resident with diagnoses including brain cancer and stroke. A certified medication aide (CMA) entered the resident's room to administer morning medications but found a CNA providing personal care. The CMA left the medications on the bedside table and exited the room, contrary to facility policy and state regulations. The CNA, who was not authorized to administer medications, attempted to give the medications to the resident by the spoonful, despite the resident's verbal refusals and attempts to spit out the medication. A friend of the resident witnessed the event, intervened, and alerted staff at the nurses station. Multiple staff interviews confirmed that the CNA continued to attempt to administer the medications even after being told to stop by both the resident and the friend. The incident was only halted when additional staff, including the CMA and an LPN, entered the room and removed the CNA. Staff acknowledged that only licensed or permitted personnel are allowed to administer medications and that the actions taken were not in accordance with facility policy or professional standards.