Unsecured Medications and Unattended Medication Cart
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that medications were not properly secured in the facility, resulting in two specific deficiencies. On one occasion, a cup containing two pills—identified as Protonix and Amlodipine—was found at the bedside of a resident, rather than being administered directly or stored securely. The resident had a history of gastroesophageal reflux disease and hypertension, as indicated by the medications present. A Licensed Practical Nurse confirmed the presence and identification of the pills. Additionally, on two separate occasions, a medication cart in Unit B was found unlocked and unattended in a hallway, with the drawers facing outward and accessible. The cart remained unattended for several minutes, and the responsible nurse was not present at the time of observation. These incidents demonstrate a failure to ensure that drugs and biologicals were stored in locked compartments and not left unsecured or accessible to residents.