Incomplete documentation for IM haloperidol given for agitation
Summary
The facility failed to maintain accurate and complete medical records for 1 of 2 residents reviewed for mood and behavior, resident #31. The resident was admitted with diagnoses including hemiplegia and hemiparesis following cerebral infarction, autistic disorder, pseudobulbar affect, gender identity disorder, major depressive disorder, mild cognitive impairment, mild neurocognitive disorder with behavioral disturbance, mood disorder, anxiety disorder, and noncompliance with medical treatment and regimen. The care plan identified the resident as transgender and preferring she/her pronouns, and included behaviors such as refusing medications and care, crawling on the floor, cursing at staff, accusatory behavior, attention-seeking behavior, physical aggression, and verbal abuse. A psychology consult noted ongoing mood lability with increasing agitation and behavioral dysregulation, with recent psychotropic medication adjustments still in progress. The resident had physician orders for one-time IM haloperidol for agitation on multiple occasions. The EMAR showed haloperidol was administered on 3/23/26 at 12:13 PM, 3/25/26 at 1:17 AM, and 3/29/26 at 11:05 PM. The progress note for the 3/23/26 dose documented increased agitation, aggressive behaviors including hitting staff and throwing objects, attempts at verbal redirection and de-escalation, and notification of the provider before the one-time IM haloperidol order was received and carried out. However, the progress notes did not document the rationale for the haloperidol administration at the time it was given on 3/25/26, and did not document the behaviors that required haloperidol or the rationale for its use on 3/29/26. During interview, the RN stated that on 3/25/26 the resident became aggressive and yelling and punched her, and that she called the physician for an IM haloperidol order. She stated she did not pull the medication from the emergency medication kit and used a box of haloperidol IM in the medication cart, but could not remember the dose and confirmed she did not give it orally. The DON stated that an order written for a 2 mg tablet of haloperidol to be given IM would need clarification before administration, and she could not explain how the medication was given if the pharmacy did not supply it and the emergency medication kit did not stock 2 mg haloperidol. She also stated the expectation was for nurses to document behaviors leading up to haloperidol administration and all interventions used prior to administration. Facility policy required the person administering the medication to document the complaints or symptoms for which the drug was administered in the resident's medical record.
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