Failure to Administer Scheduled Medication on Time
Penalty
Summary
A scheduled medication was not administered on time to a resident with paraplegia and dizziness. The resident was admitted with these diagnoses and was assessed to have intact cognitive skills, requiring varying levels of assistance for daily activities. The resident had a physician's order for Meclizine to be given three times daily for dizziness. On the day in question, the medication was scheduled for 8:00 AM but was not administered until 9:40 AM, as observed by surveyors and confirmed by the LVN responsible for medication administration. The facility's Medication Administration policy requires medications to be given within one hour before or after the scheduled time, and emphasizes the importance of administering medications at the right time. The LVN acknowledged the medication was given late and stated that late administration could result in symptoms not being relieved on time. The Director of Nursing confirmed the policy and the importance of timely medication administration to ensure proper treatment of residents' medical conditions.