Failure to Complete Antibiotic Time-Out for Resident on Bactrim
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to complete a comprehensive assessment for continued use of antibiotics for one resident who was reviewed for antibiotic stewardship. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, facilities are required to evaluate residents within 48-72 hours after starting an antibiotic to ensure the medication is effective, a process known as an antibiotic time-out (ATO). In this case, a resident was prescribed Bactrim for a urinary tract infection (UTI) following an outpatient appointment, and the medication was administered as ordered. Documentation showed the resident took the antibiotic as prescribed and completed the course without adverse effects. However, the resident's medical record did not contain evidence that an ATO was performed within the required 48-72 hour window after the initiation of antibiotic therapy. The director of nursing (DON) confirmed that, although the resident did not exhibit signs or symptoms of infection while at the facility and the antibiotic was prescribed externally, the facility did not conduct the ATO as per their usual process. Facility policy requires ongoing infection surveillance and documentation of antibiotic use, but this was not followed in this instance.