Delayed Response to Pharmacist Recommendations for AIMS Assessments
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that recommendations from the consultant pharmacist for timely completion of Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) assessments were acted upon for two residents who were receiving antipsychotic medications. For one resident with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, depression, and anxiety, the pharmacist recommended an AIMS assessment within 30 days of starting antipsychotic therapy. However, the assessment was not completed until 48 days after the recommendation, as documented by a psychiatric nurse practitioner's progress note. Another resident, also with Alzheimer's disease, depression, and anxiety, was receiving routine antipsychotic medication. The consultant pharmacist made a similar recommendation for an AIMS assessment to be performed within 30 days. The assessment was not completed until over six weeks later, following a delayed referral by the social worker to the psychiatric nurse practitioner. The social worker acknowledged being behind in making referrals, which contributed to the delay. Facility policy requires that the consultant pharmacist's findings and recommendations be communicated to the physician, DON, and other relevant staff, and that medication regimen reviews be conducted monthly. Despite these policies, the facility did not ensure timely follow-up on the pharmacist's recommendations for AIMS assessments, as confirmed by staff interviews and medical record review.