Failure to Administer IV Antibiotic as Ordered
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to administer intravenous (IV) Vancomycin as ordered by the physician for a resident admitted with multiple diagnoses, including osteomyelitis and wound infection. Upon admission, the resident was supposed to receive IV Vancomycin every eight hours for seven days, as per hospital discharge instructions and physician orders. However, the medication was not administered on the first two days after admission, resulting in four missed doses. The resident reported not receiving the medication as scheduled, and this was confirmed by review of the Medication Administration Record (MAR) and nursing progress notes, which showed that IV Vancomycin was not started until the third day after admission. The Director of Nursing confirmed that the medication was available in the facility's automated medication and supply management system and should have been administered as ordered or obtained via a STAT order from the pharmacy if needed. Facility policies require medications to be administered as prescribed and in accordance with physician orders. Despite these policies and the availability of the medication, the resident's care plan and MAR indicated that the IV antibiotic was not given as ordered, resulting in a failure to meet the pharmaceutical needs of the resident.