Failure to Monitor Psychotropic Medication Use
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that residents' drug regimens were free from unnecessary medications by not monitoring for behaviors, effectiveness, or side effects of psychotropic medications for two residents. One resident, with diagnoses including paranoid schizophrenia and major depressive disorder, was prescribed multiple psychotropic medications such as Risperidone, Trazodone, and Mirtazapine. Review of this resident's Medication Administration Records (MAR) for two consecutive months showed no documentation of monitoring for behaviors, effectiveness, or side effects related to these medications. The Director of Nursing confirmed that such monitoring was not performed as required. Another resident, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disease, and other medical conditions, was prescribed Clonazepam, Olanzapine, and Mirtazapine. Review of the MAR and medical record for this resident also failed to show any monitoring for behaviors or side effects associated with the administration of these psychotropic medications. The Assistant Director of Nursing confirmed the absence of required monitoring for these medications.