IV medication documentation was entered by LVNs instead of the administering RN
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that IV antibiotics and IV fluids were documented by the nurse who actually administered them for six residents. For Resident 13, who was admitted with type 1 DM, mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, the MAR showed meropenem IV was initialed by LVNs on multiple shifts, while the accompanying notes stated the medication was administered by an RN or RN supervisor. One LVN stated she was not IV certified, said only an RN can administer IV medications, and acknowledged she signed the MAR and wrote that the RN administered the medication. The DON stated the facility’s practice was for RNs to prepare and administer the IV medication while LVNs signed the MAR and documented that the RN gave it. For Resident 146, admitted with acute respiratory failure and BPH, the MAR showed meropenem IV was initialed by an LVN, and the note did not identify an RN as the administrator. For Resident 85, who was admitted with osteomyelitis of the vertebra and had a PICC line for antibiotic treatment, the MARs showed repeated IV antibiotic doses of daptomycin and Teflaro were initialed by LVNs, while progress notes often stated the antibiotics were administered by an RN without naming the RN. Staff interviews confirmed that LVNs were not IV certified, that RNs administered the IV antibiotics, and that LVNs sometimes clicked the medication in the MAR while documenting in the notes that an RN gave the dose. For Resident 159, admitted with neuromuscular dysfunction of the bladder and sepsis, the MAR showed ceftriaxone IV was initialed by an LVN and there was no note stating an RN administered it. For Resident 94, admitted with acute osteomyelitis of the left femur and cervical cancer, ertapenem IV was signed by an LVN on multiple dates; some notes said an RN administered the dose but did not identify the RN, and other doses had no note at all. For Resident 151, admitted with senile degeneration of the brain, hypotension, and adult failure to thrive, the MAR showed IV sodium chloride and dextrose-sodium chloride were signed by LVNs, while one note said the fluid was given by RN without naming the RN and other doses had no supporting RN documentation. The facility policy stated that only persons licensed or permitted by the state to prepare, administer, and document medications may do so, and that the individual administering the medication documents it in the eMAR.
Penalty
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