Psychotropic Medications Administered Without Prior Informed Consent
Penalty
Summary
Licensed nursing staff failed to obtain informed consent prior to administering psychotropic medications to a resident diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The resident, who had fluctuating capacity to understand and make decisions and was assessed as moderately impaired in cognitive skills, was admitted with orders for multiple psychotropic medications, including quetiapine fumarate, valproic acid, and olanzapine. According to the Medication Administration Report, these medications were administered starting on 7/17/2025. However, the Verification of Informed Consent form for these medications was not completed until 7/22/2025, indicating that the resident received psychotropic medications for several days before consent was obtained. Interviews with a registered nurse confirmed that the medications were given prior to obtaining the required informed consent, which was contrary to the facility's policy and procedure mandating written informed consent before initiating psychoactive medication use.