Failure to Administer IV Antibiotics Timely and Document Delays
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure timely administration of intravenous (IV) antibiotics for two residents who required these medications for post-surgical infections. For one resident with a dehisced surgical wound and infection following a craniotomy, physician orders specified Ceftriaxone Sodium 2 grams IV twice daily and at bedtime for specified durations. The Medication Administration Record (MAR) showed that the resident’s evening doses were administered late on multiple occasions, with some doses given several hours past the scheduled time. There was no documentation in the clinical record explaining the reasons for the late administration or any comments regarding the delays. Similarly, another resident with an infection and inflammatory reaction due to a hip prosthesis had physician orders for Ceftriaxone Sodium Solution 2 grams IV at bedtime. The MAR indicated that several doses were administered late, including one instance where the dose was given several hours after the scheduled time. Again, the clinical record lacked any documentation explaining the late administration. Interviews with the Director of Nursing and a registered nurse confirmed that medications should be given on time and that any late administration should be documented with a reason, but this was not done in these cases.