Nurse Technicians Administered Prohibited Medications Without Proper Credentials
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to comply with state and local regulations by allowing two nurse technicians, Staff D and Staff E, to administer scheduled and intravenous (IV) medications, including controlled substances, to residents. According to the state's administrative code, nurse technicians are not authorized to administer chemotherapy, blood or blood products, IV medications, scheduled drugs, or perform procedures on central lines. Despite this, records showed that Staff D administered scheduled opioid medications 11 times and IV medications three times in one month, while Staff E administered scheduled opioid medications 20 times and IV medications once during the same period. Both staff members' nurse technician credentials had expired at the time of these actions. Interviews with staff revealed a lack of understanding and education regarding the scope of practice for nurse technicians. Staff D reported that she was still in nursing school and believed she could perform medication administration tasks as long as an RN was present, but had not received specific education on which medications or routes were permitted. Staff C, an LPN, confirmed that nurse technicians dispensed controlled medications and had not received education on their roles. The Director of Nursing also stated that nurse technicians administered narcotic and IV medications, indicating a systemic lack of awareness and training regarding regulatory limitations.