Failure to Monitor Behaviors and Side Effects for Residents on Antipsychotic Medications
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to monitor behaviors and potential side effects for residents who were prescribed antipsychotic medications. According to the facility's policy, psychotropic drugs should only be administered when necessary to treat a specific, documented condition, and the resident's response to the medication must be monitored and documented. Additionally, residents receiving antipsychotic medications are required to have an Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) test performed as per facility policy. A review of clinical records for two residents with diagnoses including bipolar disorder, major depression, and generalized anxiety disorder revealed that both were prescribed antipsychotic medications (Abilify and Chlorpromazine). However, there was no documentation that behaviors or medication side effects were monitored during the periods the medications were administered. The DON confirmed that this monitoring was not performed for these residents while they were receiving antipsychotic medications.