Failure to Honor Resident Choice in Medication Administration Timing
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to honor and facilitate resident self-determination by not supporting resident choices regarding the timing of medication administration for two residents. According to facility policy, medications are to be administered within 60 minutes of the scheduled time. However, both residents reported receiving their evening medications significantly later than their preferred and scheduled time of 8:00 p.m. Specifically, one resident received seven medications at 9:25 p.m. on one occasion, and the other resident received five medications at 9:06 p.m. and 9:24 p.m. on two separate occasions. Both residents expressed dissatisfaction with the late administration and indicated a preference for receiving their medications closer to 8:00 p.m. Clinical records confirmed the late administration of medications, and interviews with the residents corroborated these findings. The Infection Control Preventionist also confirmed that the medications were not administered in a timely manner and not in accordance with the residents' stated preferences. The affected residents had medical conditions including diabetes, anxiety, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, protein-calorie malnutrition, and bipolar disorder, which may require consistent medication timing. The failure to administer medications as scheduled and according to resident preference constituted a violation of resident rights and facility policy.