F0755

D

Failure to Obtain and Administer Prescribed Inhaler Medication

Taos, New Mexico Survey Completed on 01-15-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to obtain and provide a prescribed inhaled medication, Symbicort 160-4.5 mcg/act (budesonide/formoterol), for a resident. During a medication pass observation, an RN did not administer the Symbicort inhaler because it was not available and was not stocked in the Rx Now emergency medication machine. The RN reported having contacted the pharmacy and was awaiting delivery of the inhaler. Medication administration records for this resident showed multiple missed doses of Symbicort, including an evening dose on 01/10/26, both morning and evening doses on 01/11/26 and 01/12/26, and the morning dose on 01/13/26.

During an interview, the DON stated that staff are expected to administer missed medications as soon as possible and to notify her if multiple days pass without a medication so she can contact the pharmacy and provider for medication or an alternative. The DON also explained there is an emergency kit for one-time usage and that if a medication is not present there, staff are to call the pharmacy immediately, as there is an agreement with a local pharmacy to obtain medications quickly. The DON confirmed that this process was not followed for the resident’s Symbicort inhaler and acknowledged that multiple doses of the medication were missed.