Incomplete Antibiotic Treatment for UTI
Penalty
Summary
A resident with a history of stroke and urinary tract infection, who was cognitively impaired and always incontinent of bladder, was discharged from the hospital with a prescription for Bactrim DS to be taken orally every 12 hours for five days. Hospital documentation indicated the resident had received two doses of intravenous antibiotics and was to continue the oral antibiotic for the next five days, with a prescription quantity of ten tablets. The resident's care plan included assistance with toileting and personal hygiene due to continence issues. Upon review of the Medication Administration Record, it was found that the resident received only eight doses of Bactrim DS over four days, rather than the prescribed five-day course. The DON confirmed that only four days of antibiotics were administered. Facility policy required that all physician orders be followed as prescribed, but the full course of antibiotic treatment was not completed for the resident.