Inspection Findings:
Based on observation, interview and record review it was determined the facility failed to ensure residents were evaluated prior to receiving an antipsychotic medication, had appropriate indications for use, consented to the medication, had behaviors monitored, medications monitored for effectiveness and all psychotropic (drugs that effect brain chemistry) medications were evaluated for 4 of 6 sampled residents (#s 23, 30, 34 and 38) reviewed for medications. This placed residents at risk for lack of consent, indications for use, monitoring of behaviors, evaluation for effectiveness as well as risk for medication side effects. Findings include:
1. Resident 23 was admitted to the facility in early 2022 with diagnoses including stroke and mood disorder.
A pharmacist review dated 8/2/22 indicated the need for an AIMS (a scale used to assess the presence of abnormal involuntary movements as a side effect of antipsychotic medications) test to be completed as a result of starting Seroquel (an antipsychotic).
A pharmacist review dated 9/6/22 repeated the request to complete an AIMS test.
There was no indication Resident 23 was assessed prior to starting an antipsychotic medication to obtain baseline data related to potential side effects of antipsychotic medications.
On 10/7/22 at 12:04 PM Staff 2 (DNS) acknowledged a delay in completing the AIMS test and stated it was done when she discovered it had not been completed.
2. Resident 34 was admitted to the facility in 2022 with diagnoses including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and delusional disorder.
On 10/6/22 at 8:36 AM Resident 34 was seen in her/his room, dressed and well groomed. Resident 34 was asked about medications and was able to state some of the indications for her/his medication use.
Psychotropic Committee Review notes for 6/2022, 7/2022, 8/2022 and 9/2022 did not mention the use of Depakote and did not include analysis of Resident 34's behaviors, note the number of occurrences, potential causes or interventions used by staff.
On 10/6/22 at 9:48 AM Staff 22 (Nurse Practitioner) stated she was happy with the medication management of Resident 34. Staff 22 added six to eight weeks ago Resident 34 was not well, aggressive with staff, very delusional and difficult to redirect.
On 10/6/22 at 12:38 PM Staff 2 (DNS) stated medications should be monitored and consents obtained based on the use of the medication and not the classification. Staff 2 agreed the documentation should identify the targeted behaviors and the benefits of the medication in managing those behaviors. Staff 2 added all medication a resident takes for their behaviors should be reviewed at each monthly meeting.
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4. Resident 38 admitted to the facility in 6/2022 with diagnoses including cognitive communication deficit.
A 6/10/22 physician's order instructed staff to administer 25 mg of Seroquel (an anti-psychotic medication) to the resident daily.
A 6/15/22 Psychoactive Drug Review indicated Resident 38 received Seroquel for a diagnosis of insomnia and the medication was used to improve sleep.
A 6/22/22 Note to Attending Physician/Prescriber from the pharmacy consultant indicated Resident 38 was receiving 25 mg of Seroquel daily without a clear diagnosis.
The resident's care plan did not indicate the resident had dementia or cognitive concerns. There was a behavior care plan initated on 6/20/22 which indicated the resident's behaviors were insomnia, yelling, screaming and confusion. The interventions listed for the behaviors were to reduce noise, call family and make sure her/his head phones were working.
During Psychoactive Drug Reviews on 7/19/22, 8/23/22 and 9/19/22, it was documented Resident 38 continued to receive 25 mg of Seroquel at bedtime for a diagnosis of dementia with behavioral disturbance. The targeted behaviors the Seroquel was used for was "to help improve sleep".
A review of Resident 38's electronic health record did not reveal documentation to indicate the resident's sleep was being monitored to determine the effectiveness of the Seroquel.
According to an 8/3/22 Medication Regimen Review, the consulting pharmacist advised the facility to complete an AIMS (a scale used to assess the presence of abnormal involuntary movements as a side effect of antipsychotic medications) test for Resident 38 related to monitoring for side effects of the Seroquel.
On 8/16/22 Resident 38 signed a consent form to receive Seroquel for "difficult time relaxing at night, and will start calling out".
Again on 9/7/22 the consulting pharmacist recommended an AIMS test be completed.
On 9/12/22 the facility completed the first AIMS test for Resident 38, over three months after she/he started taking Seroquel.
On 10/6/22 at 10:51 AM Staff 25 (CNA) stated Resident 38 was fully alert and oriented and did not have any behaviors. She stated the resident slept a lot.
On 10/6/22 at 3:22 PM Staff 24 (CNA) reported she did not think the resident had dementia but did get more confused as the day went on. She stated the resident did not exhibit any behaviors. Staff 24 reported the resident slept hard most of the day.
On 10/7/22 Staff 3 (Resident Care Manager LPN) stated the resident did not have a cognitive care plan and should have. She confirmed the targeted behavior documented for the use of Seroquel for Resident 38 was sleep, yet there was no monitoring of the resident's sleep to determine if sleep has improved. She further stated sleep was not an appropriate use of Seroquel. Staff 3 stated the resident's behaviors of calling out at night were the behaviors being monitored and acknowledged those behaviors should be the targeted behavior. She listed off several non-pharmalogical interventions used to help manage the resident's behaviors and confirmed those interventions were not listed anywhere in the resident's chart.
On 10/7/22 at 12:54 PM Staff 15 (Resident Care Manager LPN) stated Resident 38 had some behaviors of calling out and they wanted to start her/him on Seroquel. She reported the physician gave the diagnosis of dementia with behaviors for that medication.
, 3. Resident 30 was admitted to the facility in 2022 with diagnoses including diabetes and post-traumatic stress disorder.
A 7/22/22 progress note revealed Resident 30 had no mood or behaviors and there were no additional nursing or social services behavior notes through 10/3/22.
The 8/23/22 monthly Psychoactive Drug Review indicated both Wellbutrin (an antidepressant medication) and hydroxyzine (an antihistamine medication) were reviewed. Wellbutrin had a targeted behavior of "depression regarding resident's current health status" and hydroxyzine was used for anxiety during brief changes.
The 9/19/22 monthly Psychoactive Drug Review indicated hydroxyine was no longer reviewed.
The 9/2022 and 10/2022 MAR indicated Resident 30 received Wellbutrin daily for depression and hydroxyzine as needed for anxiety or itching.
Resident 30's behavior monitor revealed two incidents of refusal of care on 9/11/22 and 9/12/22 in the last 30 days and no additional behaviors were documented.
Review of Resident 30's medical record revealed she/he had no complaints of itching and there was no consent for the use of hydroxyzine to address her/his anxiety.
On 10/4/22 at approximately 11:00 AM Staff 2 (DNS) indicated monitoring of Resident 30's behaviors were located as a social service note, nursing note or under "tasks" in the medical record.
On 10/6/22 at 12:26 PM Staff 15 (Resident Care Manager-LPN) acknowledged there was a lack of behavior documentation to complete an accurate evaluation of Resident 30's behaviors which impacted the view needed to evaluate the resident for unnecessary medication over a period of time.
On 10/6/22 at 12:38 PM Staff 2 DNS stated it was confusing whether or not a consent form was necessary for medication used to address anxiety but classified as an antihistamine. Staff 2 acknowledged a consent and review for the use of hydroxyzine was necessary but not completed in addition to documentation of Resident 30's behaviors to compare normal behaviors or changes caused by the addition of medications.
Plan of Correction:
Resident 23 was assessed for any adverse side effects related to medication, current AIMS is completed, provider reviewed recommendations and made changes to medication regimen including titration.
Resident 30 has received education and signed her consent for medication, residents behavior monitoring has been updated.
Resident 34 discharged.
Resident 38 has received updated behavior monitoring.
Reconciliation of medications, behavior monitoring, and consents for medications have been performed for residents receiving psychotropic medications. Review of AIMS has been performed as indicated.
Nursing staff educated on medications use and to ensure consent, AIMS if indicated, RCMs and social services educated on Behavior monitoring. Staff educated on behavior monitor charting in PCC.
Audit of orders will be performed Mon-Fri during morning clinical meeting for three weeks and weekly thereafter to ensure consents, AIMS, care plan, and behavior monitoring are in place. Results will be brought to QAPI monthly to review.
DNS or designee will be responsible for ongoing compliance.
The Director of Nursing is responsible for compliance, and our date of compliance is November 8, 2022.