Failure to Follow Professional Standards in Medication Administration
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that medications were administered according to professional standards of practice during three observed medication administrations. In each instance, the LPNs did not verify the resident's first and last name, date of birth, or check the resident's armband prior to administering medications, as required by the five rights of medication administration. Specifically, one LPN prepared and administered medication to a resident without confirming their identity, and then interrupted the process to take another resident's vital signs before completing the initial medication administration. The LPN also did not ensure that the resident was administering eye drops as ordered by the physician. Additionally, there was no documented evidence that the resident had a physician's order for self-administration of medication, nor was there an assessment or care plan developed for medication self-administration. Another LPN also failed to verify a resident's identity before administering medication, only calling the resident's first name. Staff interviews confirmed that the required verification steps were not followed during these medication administrations.