Physician Failed to Address Pharmacist Medication Recommendation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that pharmacist recommendations regarding medication administration were addressed by the physician for one resident. Specifically, a pharmacist reviewed a resident's medication regimen and recommended that lurasidone, an antipsychotic medication, be administered with food as per the manufacturer's instructions for proper absorption. This recommendation was documented on the Interim Medication Regimen Review form, which included a section for the physician to indicate acceptance or rejection of the pharmacist's recommendation. Despite the pharmacist's documented recommendation, the physician signed the form without indicating whether the recommendation was accepted or declined. Further review of the resident's Medication Administration Record (MAR) showed that the medication was scheduled for administration in the afternoon, but there was no indication that it should be given with food. Facility nursing leadership confirmed that the physician should have acknowledged the pharmacist's recommendation, but this was not done.