Failure to Provide Timely Medication Delivery
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide timely pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of a resident who was admitted with diagnoses including Ankylosing spondylitis and visual loss. Upon admission, the resident had a hospital discharge order for Biolle Gel Tears Ophthalmic Gel 1%, to be administered as one drop in both eyes three times daily for dry eyes. Review of the resident's medical record and Medication Administration Record (MAR) showed that the prescribed eye drops were not available for administration for six consecutive days following admission. Nursing notes documented three times daily that the medication was unavailable and that the facility was awaiting pharmacy delivery. After three days without the medication, the Nurse Practitioner was notified, but the medication remained unavailable for an additional three days. It was not until the seventh day after admission that the medication was delivered and administered to the resident. The Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed the findings regarding the unavailability of medications from the pharmacy. The documentation shows that the facility did not ensure the resident received the ordered medication in a timely manner, as required to meet the resident's pharmaceutical needs.