Failure to Update PASARR Screening After Initiation of Psychotropic Medications
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASARR) was accurately documented for one resident. The resident was admitted with diagnoses of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Initial PASARR Level 1 screening was completed and found negative, indicating that a Level II assessment was not required at that time. However, subsequent records showed that the resident was later prescribed paroxetine (an antidepressant) and risperidone (an antipsychotic) for their mental health conditions. Despite these new prescriptions and ongoing diagnoses, no updated PASARR Level 1 screening was completed after the initiation of these psychotropic medications. Interviews with the MDS Assistant and the DON confirmed that a new PASARR Level 1 should have been conducted when the resident began these medications. Facility policy required screening for mental disorders and referral to the appropriate authority when such conditions were identified, but this process was not followed, resulting in a deficiency.