Failure to Complete Timely Antibiotic Review
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to complete a required review of antibiotic therapy within 48-72 hours for one of three sampled residents. According to CDC guidelines, an antibiotic time-out should be performed within this timeframe to ensure the appropriateness of continued antibiotic use by evaluating the resident's current symptoms and laboratory results. Documentation review showed that the infection control log tracked residents with potential infections and included relevant clinical information. However, for one resident who was prescribed ciprofloxacin for a urinary tract infection and prostatitis, there was no evidence of an initial comprehensive assessment or a completed antibiotic time-out in the medical record. The resident in question had a diagnosis of neuromuscular dysfunction of the bladder and an indwelling catheter, placing them at increased risk for infection. The care plan directed staff to monitor for urinary complaints and manage catheter patency. Despite these risk factors and the initiation of antibiotic therapy, the required review to assess the ongoing need for antibiotics was not documented. The assistant director of nursing confirmed that the antibiotic time-out, which should have been completed and documented in the electronic health record, was missing for this resident.