Arkansas Long Term Care Administrator Practice Exam

How long must a facility maintain documentation of drugs that were ordered, changed, or discontinued?

1. 12 months

2. 15 months

3. 18 months

4. 24 months

The correct answer is: 15 months

The correct duration for maintaining documentation of drugs that were ordered, changed, or discontinued is 15 months. This requirement is established to ensure that there is a clear and accessible record of medication management for residents, which is crucial for both compliance with regulatory standards and maintaining quality care in long-term care facilities. Keeping these records for 15 months allows for adequate oversight of medication use and enables the facility to provide evidence of adherence to prescribed protocols. It helps ensure continuity of care by allowing for an accurate review of a resident's medication history, which can be vital in the event of a change in health status, during audits, or in the case of any disputes regarding patient care. This timeframe balances the need for sufficient documentation while not requiring the retention of records for an excessively long period, which could lead to unnecessary administrative burdens. While other durations are presented, they either exceed the regulatory requirements or do not align with common practice standards observed in long-term care documentation policies.