Failure to Administer Diabetes Medication Within Required Timeframe
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus did not receive their prescribed metformin medication within the facility's required timeframe. The facility's policy mandates that medications be administered within one hour of the scheduled time unless otherwise specified. However, review of the medication administration records showed that the resident's metformin, ordered to be given at 8:00 a.m. with meals, was administered late on multiple occasions, including at 10:22 a.m., 9:42 a.m., 4:12 p.m., 11:14 p.m., and 12:05 p.m. These late administrations were confirmed through observation, record review, and staff interviews. The resident required assistance with activities of daily living and had a diagnosis of diabetes, necessitating timely medication administration to manage blood glucose levels. Staff interviews confirmed that the medication should have been given by 9:00 a.m. and that late administration could result in the medication not being given with meals, as intended. The facility's Director of Nursing acknowledged that these late administrations were not in accordance with physician orders or facility policy, and that such deviations could lead to risks for the resident.