Lack of Stop Dates for PRN Psychotropic Medications
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that stop dates were in place for as-needed (PRN) psychotropic medications for two of three residents reviewed for such medications. Specifically, one resident had physician orders for Haloperidol 5 mg every 6 hours as needed for behavioral disturbances and Lorazepam 1 mg every 6 hours as needed for behaviors, both lacking a documented stop date. Another resident had an order for Lorazepam Injection 0.5 ml every 8 hours as needed for agitation, also without a stop date. According to the facility's undated policy, PRN psychotropic medications should be ordered with a 14-day time limit, after which a physician must re-evaluate and reorder if necessary. The Assistant Director of Nursing confirmed that PRN psychotropic medications should have a 14-day stop date, but this was not implemented for the residents in question.