Failure to Track and Secure Controlled Medications
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that controlled medications were properly tracked and secured, which was evident during a review of one of the two medication carts. This deficiency was identified when a narcotic accountability record, covering the period from March 2 to April 1, was found to have a missing signature from a licensed nurse. This omission was observed during a medication cart audit on April 1. An LPN confirmed that nurses are required to sign the narcotic accountability sheet when they take responsibility for or hand over the medication cart. The lack of proper documentation created the potential for undetected misuse or diversion of controlled medications, potentially affecting all residents receiving such medications in the facility.