Medication Storage and Labeling Deficiencies
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified multiple failures in medication storage and labeling practices within the facility. During inspections of medication carts, expired medications such as Pepto Bismol were found in active stock, and opened multi-dose vials and inhalers lacked required open dates. Specifically, an opened insulin vial did not have an open date, a Wixela inhaler was not discarded after the recommended period, and a Breyna inhaler was missing an open date. Staff interviews confirmed that these medications should have been dated upon opening and discarded according to manufacturer guidelines, and that expired medications should not remain in use. Facility policy also required that opened medications be dated and expired or undated medications be separated from active stock. Additionally, a treatment cart was observed left unlocked and unattended in a hallway while a nurse performed a wound treatment in a resident's room. The nurse confirmed the cart was left unlocked, and the DON stated that carts should always be locked when not in use and within view of the user when unlocked. Facility policy supported this requirement, indicating that medication carts must be locked when out of sight or unattended.