Failure to Assess and Authorize Self-Administration of Medications
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement a process to identify and assess residents for self-administration of medications for two of fourteen sampled residents. In one instance, a staff member administered oral medications and mixed MiraLAX in juice for a resident, then left the juice with the medication on the bedside table, but could not confirm if the resident was able to self-administer her medications. In another case, a staff member handed medications to a resident, who placed them on the bedside table and stated he would take them later, with the staff member agreeing to return and check on him. Record reviews for both residents showed no physician's order or assessment for self-administration of medications. Staff confirmed that there were no assessments for self-administration for these residents and stated that none of the residents were supposed to be self-administering their medications. Facility policy requires a valid provider order and assessment for self-administration, and medications are not to be kept at bedside without such an order.