Delayed Physician Review of Pharmacy Recommendations
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that pharmacy recommendations were reviewed by the physician within the required timeframe, as outlined in facility policy. Specifically, for one resident with multiple diagnoses including asthma, type II diabetes mellitus, schizoaffective disorder, depression, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, and insomnia, pharmacy recommendations regarding medication adjustments were not reviewed and signed by the physician until more than 30 days after the recommendations were made. The facility's policy required that such recommendations be reviewed by the medical provider within 30 days. Medical record review showed that the pharmacist recommended a dosage reduction for Famotidine and highlighted regulatory requirements for limiting as-needed psychoactive medications to 14 days unless reassessed and justified by the provider. In both instances, the physician did not review and sign the recommendations until 31 and 34 days after they were made, respectively. Staff interview confirmed the facility's policy for timely review, and policy documentation supported this requirement.