Expired Medical Supplies Found in Medication Rooms
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to discard expired medical supplies in two medication rooms, Overly Meadows and Shimer Trails. During an observation in the Overly Meadows medication room, it was found that there were six 24 gauge angiocatheters that expired on November 30, 2024, one 18 gauge needle that expired on January 31, 2021, and a box of 25 vials of 20 cc normal saline solution that expired on November 1, 2023. A Licensed Practical Nurse confirmed that these items should not have been in circulation if they were expired. Similarly, in the Shimer Trails medication room, there were nine 24 gauge IV catheters that expired on April 30, 2023, two 20 gauge IV catheters that expired on August 31, 2023, and twenty-seven 22 gauge IV catheters, with 26 expiring on January 31, 2025, and one on December 31, 2024. Additionally, four 18 gauge needles expired on August 31, 2024, and one 10 cc syringe expired on September 30, 2024. Another Licensed Practical Nurse confirmed that these expired items should not have been in circulation. The Nursing Home Administrator also confirmed that these expired supplies should not have been in use.
Plan Of Correction
1. The facility ensured there are no additional medical supplies in circulation on both Shimer Trail and Overly Meadows that are expired. 2. The facility will update the process for monitoring medical supplies. Night shift licensed practical nurses will be responsible to monitor medical supply storage and ensure supplies are removed from circulation prior to their expiration date. 3. On the spot education of new process will be completed by all registered nurses and licensed practical nurses by 06/16/2025. 4. Semi-monthly audits will be completed by Director of Nursing or designee to ensure new process is being followed and that no expired medical supplies are in circulation. 5. Results of audits will be reported at the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement meeting.