Failure to Assess Resident for Self-Administration of Medications
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident was properly assessed for self-administration of medications. During an observation in the resident's room, a bottle of medicated lotion was found unsecured on the dresser, and a medication cup containing three white pills was left on the bedside table. The resident confirmed that nurses routinely leave medications in his room for him to take on his own. A licensed nurse verified that she provided the resident with his medication in the room but did not observe him taking it. The pills included two 5 mg tablets of baclofen, prescribed for chronic pain, and one 5 mg tablet of oxycodone, prescribed for pain. Review of the clinical record showed no evidence that the resident had been assessed for the ability to self-administer medications.