Improper Storage and Labeling of Drugs and Biologicals
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to proper storage and labeling protocols for drugs and biologicals, as evidenced by observations and staff interviews. On the 5th floor front hall medication cart, a bottle of Tums antacid tablets was found without a label indicating the date it was opened. Additionally, non-medical items such as a small white bottle of shaving cream and a can of sweet vanilla rainbow room spray were stored alongside medications, which is against the facility's policy that requires medications for external use and hazardous drugs to be clearly marked and stored separately. Further deficiencies were noted in the 6th floor medication storage room, where seven packages of briefs and a bottle of drug disposal liquid were improperly stored under the sink. These findings were confirmed by interviews with LPN Employee E6 and RN Employee E1, who acknowledged the improper storage of medical supplies and biologicals. The facility's failure to comply with its own policies and state and federal regulations regarding the storage and labeling of drugs and biologicals was evident in these observations.
Plan Of Correction
1. No residents were negatively affected by the deficient practice. 2. An audit was conducted of all med room and med carts to ensure that medications for external use, hazardous drugs, and biologicals are clearly marked and stored separated from other medications and dated with the "opened" date. 3. Nursing staff will be educated by the DON/Designee on the policy that medications for external use, hazardous drugs, and biologicals are clearly marked and stored separated from other medications and dated with the "opened" date. Additionally, there will be no items stored below the sink in med rooms. 4. Audits of med rooms and medication carts will be performed by DON/Designee to ensure that medications are labeled and med rooms are free of clutter. These audits will be performed 3x a week times 2 weeks, 2x a week times 2 weeks, and 1x a week times 2 weeks.