Delay in Administration of Antibiotic for UTI
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident exhibiting signs of a urinary tract infection (foul smelling urine) did not receive the first dose of a newly ordered antibiotic, Cipro, within a reasonable timeframe. The physician's order for Cipro was placed in the late afternoon, with instructions for same-day delivery from the pharmacy. However, the medication was not administered as scheduled, and the nurse did not adjust the administration time for the first dose. The Medication Administration Record showed that the initial dose was not given at the intended time, and there was no documentation of an adjusted administration time. The Assistant Director of Nursing confirmed that the nurse did not utilize the Emergency Medication Kit to obtain the Cipro, instead waiting for the pharmacy delivery. Facility policy states that if a medication is not immediately available and is needed urgently, it should be obtained from the Emergency Medication Supply. The failure to follow this policy resulted in a delay in administering the antibiotic to the resident.