Expired Insulin Administered to Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident was free from significant medication errors related to the administration of expired insulin. During a medication administration observation, an LPN prepared to administer Novolog insulin from a flex pen that had been opened and used beyond its manufacturer-recommended expiration period of 28 days. The LPN initially stated that all insulin in the facility expired in 35 to 45 days, but upon review of the label, acknowledged that the insulin had expired and confirmed that doses had been administered to the resident after the expiration date. The LPN then obtained a new insulin pen before proceeding with the administration. The resident involved had a history of obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic neuropathy, and had a physician's order for Novolog insulin per sliding scale. The facility's policy and the pharmacist consultant both confirmed that Novolog insulin should be discarded after 28 days at room temperature. Review of the medication administration record showed that the resident had received multiple doses of Novolog insulin after the pen's expiration date, indicating a failure to adhere to both facility policy and manufacturer guidelines regarding medication expiration.