Failure to Monitor for Bleeding in Resident on Anticoagulant Therapy
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that each resident's medication regimen was free from unnecessary drugs by not monitoring for signs and symptoms of bleeding in a resident receiving anticoagulant therapy. Record review showed that a resident with diagnoses including acute on chronic congestive heart failure, chronic pulmonary edema, atrial fibrillation, and hypertension was prescribed Eliquis, an anticoagulant considered a high-risk medication. The resident's care plan identified a risk for abnormal bleeding and specified monitoring for symptoms such as bleeding gums, bruises, petechiae, nosebleeds, tarry stools, and hematuria. However, there was no physician's order in place for such monitoring, and the Medication Administration Record confirmed the resident received Eliquis without documentation of monitoring for bleeding as outlined in the care plan.