Failure to Obtain Informed Consent for Psychotropic Medications
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident was fully informed and understood their health status, care, and treatments, specifically regarding the use of psychotropic and antipsychotic medications. Record review revealed that a resident with diagnoses of panic disorder and depression was prescribed multiple psychotropic medications, including duloxetine, risperidone, and trazodone, for depression, resistant depression, and insomnia. However, the electronic medical record did not contain documentation of informed consent for these medications. An administrative nurse confirmed that it was the facility's expectation for staff to obtain psychotropic drug consents prior to medication initiation. The facility's policy required that residents, families, or representatives be informed of the benefits, risks, and alternatives before starting or increasing psychotropic medications. Despite this policy, there was no evidence that informed consent was obtained for the resident's psychotropic and antipsychotic medications.