Failure to Ensure Timely Review and Justification for Psychotropic Medication Use
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that two residents' medication regimens were free from potentially unnecessary psychotropic medications. For one resident, a consultant pharmacist recommended the use of Ativan as needed for anxiety, with a re-evaluation after 30 days. However, the physician's order for Ativan did not include a 14-day stop date, nor was there a physician's progress note providing a rationale for continuing the medication beyond 14 days. This omission was confirmed by the Director of Nursing. Similarly, another resident had a physician's order for Ativan as needed for anxiety and agitation, but the order also lacked a 14-day stop date and did not have a physician's progress note justifying the ongoing use of the medication past 14 days. The Director of Nursing confirmed these findings as well. These actions did not comply with regulatory requirements for the use of psychotropic medications and pharmacy services.