Failure to Provide Timely Pain Medication
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident with a history of a displaced intertrochanteric fracture of the right femur and ongoing pain did not receive pain medication in a timely manner as ordered. The resident had a physician's order for tramadol 50 mg by mouth every four hours as needed for pain. On the day in question, the resident received tramadol at 9:06 a.m. and again at 2:09 p.m. However, at 1:03 p.m., the resident requested pain medication from a CNA, reporting severe pain rated as 10 out of 10 at 1:10 p.m. after self-ambulating from the dining room. The resident stated it took a long time to receive the pain medication after making the request. Interviews with staff revealed that the CNA informed an LPN, who then informed a CMA of the resident's request. The CMA stated the medication was not due at that time, and the resident did not receive pain medication between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. The CMA later administered the medication at 2:09 p.m., more than an hour after the resident's initial request. Both the CMA and the DON acknowledged that it was not acceptable for the resident to wait an hour for pain medication if it was available per the physician's order.