Finding Description
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview and document review, the facility failed to notify the attending physician of a change in condition for 1 of 1 residents (R46) reviewed for new onset of tardive dyskinesia symptoms (repetitive, involuntary movements) often caused by antipsychotic medications.
Findings include:
R46's quarterly Minimum Data Set (MDS) dated [DATE], indicated R46 admitted to the facility on [DATE], had severe cognitive impairment, and diagnoses included Alzheimer's disease, delusional disorders, and anxiety disorder.
R46's care plan revised 4/23/25, identified psychotropic drug use, and approaches included Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) assessment per pharmacy recommendation, and physician notified of changes in condition.
R46's Order History report, printed 4/24/25, indicated R46 was prescribed increasing doses of quetiapine (antipsychotic medication) for delusional disorder as follows:
- admission order quetiapine 12.5mg at bedtime
- increased quetiapine to 25mg at bedtime on 11/19/24
- increased quetiapine to 25mg twice a day (BID) on 12/12/24
- increased quetiapine to 50mg BID on 1/3/25
R46's initial AIMS assessment, dated 11/22/24, indicated a score of 0 with no observed involuntary movements.
R46's follow-up AIMS assessment, dated 3/27/25, indicated a score of 4 with an increase in symptoms, and to continue current plan of care. However, the assessment did not indicate the physician had been notified of the increase in tardive dyskinesia symptoms.
R46's clinical record lacked evidence the physician was notified of R46's change in condition.
On 4/25/25 at 12:25 p.m., consulting pharmacist (PharmD) stated the purpose of an AIMS assessment was to monitor for tardive dyskinesia symptoms related to antipsychotics, and score changes should be communicated to the provider. PharmD stated it was important to notify the provider so the risks versus benefits could be reviewed, and the provider would need to have rationale documented for continuing the antipsychotic medication.
On 4/25/25 at 1:53 p.m., director of nursing (DON) stated the purpose of an AIMS assessment was to monitor for adverse side effects from antipsychotic medications, and nurses were expected to notify the provider. DON stated it was important to notify the prescribing physician for the safety of the resident. DON verified R46's clinical record lacked evidence the nurse had not notified the physician that R46's AIMS score increased from 0 to 4. DON stated nurses were expected to document in the clinical record to support the physician had been notified.
A policy was requested, but not provided by the facility.
Findings include:
R46's quarterly Minimum Data Set (MDS) dated [DATE], indicated R46 admitted to the facility on [DATE], had severe cognitive impairment, and diagnoses included Alzheimer's disease, delusional disorders, and anxiety disorder.
R46's care plan revised 4/23/25, identified psychotropic drug use, and approaches included Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) assessment per pharmacy recommendation, and physician notified of changes in condition.
R46's Order History report, printed 4/24/25, indicated R46 was prescribed increasing doses of quetiapine (antipsychotic medication) for delusional disorder as follows:
- admission order quetiapine 12.5mg at bedtime
- increased quetiapine to 25mg at bedtime on 11/19/24
- increased quetiapine to 25mg twice a day (BID) on 12/12/24
- increased quetiapine to 50mg BID on 1/3/25
R46's initial AIMS assessment, dated 11/22/24, indicated a score of 0 with no observed involuntary movements.
R46's follow-up AIMS assessment, dated 3/27/25, indicated a score of 4 with an increase in symptoms, and to continue current plan of care. However, the assessment did not indicate the physician had been notified of the increase in tardive dyskinesia symptoms.
R46's clinical record lacked evidence the physician was notified of R46's change in condition.
On 4/25/25 at 12:25 p.m., consulting pharmacist (PharmD) stated the purpose of an AIMS assessment was to monitor for tardive dyskinesia symptoms related to antipsychotics, and score changes should be communicated to the provider. PharmD stated it was important to notify the provider so the risks versus benefits could be reviewed, and the provider would need to have rationale documented for continuing the antipsychotic medication.
On 4/25/25 at 1:53 p.m., director of nursing (DON) stated the purpose of an AIMS assessment was to monitor for adverse side effects from antipsychotic medications, and nurses were expected to notify the provider. DON stated it was important to notify the prescribing physician for the safety of the resident. DON verified R46's clinical record lacked evidence the nurse had not notified the physician that R46's AIMS score increased from 0 to 4. DON stated nurses were expected to document in the clinical record to support the physician had been notified.
A policy was requested, but not provided by the facility.