Failure to Notify Responsible Party and Hospice of Psychotropic Medication Discontinuation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to notify the responsible party (RP) and hospice provider when a psychotherapeutic medication, Quetiapine, was discontinued for a resident with diagnoses including senile degeneration of the brain, dementia, and major depressive disorder with severe psychotic symptoms. The resident was under hospice care and had an identified RP. The decision to discontinue the medication was made by the interdisciplinary team (IDT) following a recommendation from the physician's assistant, and the team agreed to the discontinuation. Upon review of the resident's medical record, there was no documentation that the RP or hospice provider had been informed of the medication change. The facility's policy requires the IDT, in conjunction with the resident and their family or legal representative, to develop and implement a comprehensive, person-centered care plan, including participation in care planning and notification of significant changes. The lack of documentation and notification meant that the RP and hospice provider were not included in the decision-making process regarding the resident's care.