Medication Left Unattended at Bedside
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a nurse left an Amoxicillin tablet unattended at a resident's bedside. The resident, a male with diagnoses including unspecified dementia, depression, essential hypertension, and acute respiratory failure with hypoxia, was found with a clear cup containing the medication on his bedside table. The resident reported that the nurse had dropped off the medication 15-20 minutes prior, and he had not yet taken it because he fell asleep. The nurse later confirmed she had provided the medication and left it at the bedside while she assisted another staff member, intending to return to the room. Facility policy requires that all medications be administered by licensed personnel and that the same person must pour, administer, and chart the medication. The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) stated that nurses are expected to observe residents taking their medications before leaving the room. The failure to follow these procedures resulted in the medication being left unsupervised at the resident's bedside.