Failure to Administer Medications Within Scheduled Timeframe
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that medications were administered within the scheduled timeframe for one resident. The resident, who had multiple diagnoses including transient cerebral ischemic attack, pseudobulbar affect, bone disorders, major depressive disorder, spastic hemiplegia, insomnia, bipolar disorder, hyperlipidemia, mood disorder, and anxiety disorder, was observed receiving her scheduled morning medications significantly late. The medications, which were due at 7:00 AM, were administered at 10:36 AM, exceeding the facility's policy of administering medications within one hour before or after the scheduled time. The delay occurred because the registered nurse responsible for medication administration was occupied with another resident who required one-on-one supervision at the nursing station. As a result, the nurse was unable to administer the medications on time and did not delegate the supervision task to another staff member to allow for timely medication administration. This led to the resident receiving her medications 2.5 hours late, and the next scheduled doses were set to be administered only 1.5 hours later, further complicating the medication schedule.