Failure to Properly Label and Store Medications
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple deficiencies related to the labeling and storage of medications in the East Medication Cart. Specifically, an opened vial of latanoprost eye drops and an opened fluticasone/salmeterol inhaler were found without labeled open dates, affecting two residents. Additionally, an opened Lantus insulin pen was also found without an open date. These medications require labeling with the date of opening according to manufacturer instructions to ensure they are not used past their recommended period of effectiveness. Further, lorazepam oral solution and gabapentin oral solution, both prescribed to a resident, were found stored at room temperature instead of in the refrigerator as required by the manufacturer. The LVN interviewed confirmed that these medications should have been refrigerated and acknowledged that a dose of gabapentin had been administered that morning after it had not been properly stored. The facility's policy and procedure on medication labeling and storage, revised in February 2023, requires medications to be stored under proper temperature controls and labeled with expiration dates when applicable.