Loss Amount:
$360,000
What Happened:
A resident suffering from Alzheimer's disease was given her medications by a caretaker in an Assisted Living Facility. This resident, however, did not receive her medications from the pharmacy normally contracted with the Assisted Living Facility.
When one of her medications ran out and could not be easily reordered from the facility's usual pharmacy, the caregiver did not notify anyone of the lapse. After three days, the resident ended up in a hospital emergency room with severe symptoms.
Lessons Learned:
Proper medication administration and management is an essential part of any Assisted Living facility. Medical Technicians, or anyone who provides medications to residents, must be properly trained and supervised. Elements of a medication management program include:
- Written medication management procedures
- Documented professional training of medical technicians
- Medication Administration Records documenting each time medications are provided
- Proper labeling and secured storage of medications
- Regular review of medications by a pharmacist to assure correct medications are being provided
