Failure to Provide Timely PRN Pain Management
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide timely PRN pain management for a resident with significant medical needs, including muscle spasms, lumbar and thoracic compression fractures, diabetes, and right hip pain. The resident was under hospice care with a terminal prognosis and had physician orders for Morphine Sulfate oral solution to be administered every hour as needed for shortness of breath or pain. Interviews with the resident and family members revealed that the resident experienced delays in receiving pain medication, with one instance where the medication was not administered for over an hour after being requested. Documentation confirmed that the PRN pain medication was administered late on at least one occasion. The resident's care plan emphasized the importance of timely pain control and encouraged the resident to request medication before pain became severe. Despite this, both the resident and family reported repeated delays in pain medication administration, and the Director of Nursing acknowledged that the PRN pain medication was not given promptly upon request. These findings indicate that the facility did not follow physician orders or the resident's person-centered care plan regarding timely pain management.