Pain Medication Administered Outside Physician Parameters
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide pain management services consistent with professional standards of practice, the resident's care plan, and physician orders for one resident. The resident, who had diagnoses including Parkinson's disease and a malignant carcinoid tumor, had a care plan goal for pain to be managed within acceptable limits, with interventions to administer pain medications as ordered. Physician orders specified that oxycodone-acetaminophen was to be given only for pain levels rated 5-10, and acetaminophen for pain levels 1-5. A review of the Medication Administration Record showed that the resident received oxycodone-acetaminophen on four occasions for pain levels below the prescribed threshold, specifically for pain scores of 0, 3, and 4, which did not meet the criteria for administration of this medication. The DON confirmed that the medication was administered outside the parameters set by the physician, and acknowledged the facility's responsibility to ensure pain management is provided according to professional standards.