Medication Administered Outside Prescriber Orders
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a registered nurse (RN) administered Hydrocodone 7.5/325mg to a resident for pain levels below the threshold specified in the physician's order. The physician order required Hydrocodone to be given every 6 hours as needed for severe pain rated 7-10. On multiple occasions, including one observed instance, the RN dispensed the medication after confirming the resident's pain level was below 7, specifically at levels 4, 5, and 6. The medication administration record confirmed that Hydrocodone was administered at least five times for pain levels not meeting the prescribed criteria. Facility policy and medication administration guidelines require medications to be administered in accordance with prescriber orders, which was not followed in these instances.