Failure to Limit PRN Psychotropic Medication Orders to 14 Days
Penalty
No penalty information released
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Summary
The facility failed to ensure that psychotropic medications prescribed on an as-needed (PRN) basis were limited to 14 days unless there was documented rationale for continued use in the medical record. For one resident, an order for alprazolam 0.25 mg to be given nightly as needed did not include a stop date or a 14-day limitation. Staff confirmed that such orders should have a stop date. For another resident on hospice, there were two active PRN orders for lorazepam with a one-year end date, both exceeding the 14-day limit without documented justification in the medical record. Staff indicated uncertainty about the appropriateness of longer PRN orders for hospice residents.