Failure to Timely Dispose of Discontinued Medications
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to dispose of or reconcile discontinued medications in a timely manner in one of the two medication rooms reviewed, specifically the Countryside Medication room. During a review, two plastic basins containing various medications were found unsecured on the counter. These medications, dated November 2024, included Atropine, Pantoprazole, Calcium, Eliquis, Tums, Centrum, Scopolamine patches, Nitroglycerin, Simethicone, Albuterol, Tylenol, Aspirin, Lisinopril, Metoprolol, Zoloft, Tylenol Cold and Flu, Vitamin D, Atorvastatin, Montelukast, Senna, Melatonin, Seroquel, Carvedilol, Depakote, Fluoxetine, Remeron, Simvastatin, Ferrous Sulfate, and a Multivitamin. The medications were accessible only to licensed nursing personnel, pharmacy personnel, or staff members lawfully authorized to administer medications. During an interview, an LPN stated that these were old medications and that there was no paperwork required before destroying them. The LPN mentioned that they were instructed to destroy the medications when time allowed using a solution called 'med buster.' However, there was no accountability paperwork that went into the residents' medical records. The Director of Nursing confirmed the facility's failure to dispose of or reconcile the discontinued medications in a timely manner, as observed in the Countryside Medication room.
Plan Of Correction
The Director of Nursing/designees conducted an audit on the date of discovery of all medications left behind after resident discharge/death. The medications were immediately discarded according to policy. Any medications that have not been properly destroyed have been securely stored pending destruction. NS medication disposition will be completed. DON/designee will audit residents that have been discharged since January 20, 2025, weekly for 4 weeks to ensure medication disposition forms have been completed and medication has been destroyed. DON/Designee will train nursing and pharmacy team members on the proper procedures for medication destruction following a resident's death or discharge. The training will include: - The importance of timely medication destruction. - Procedures for identifying medications that need to be destroyed. - Documentation and verification requirements for destruction. - Compliance with state and federal regulations regarding the disposal of medications. Results of audits will be submitted to the QAPI committee for review of any trends and further recommendations.