Medication Cart Left Unlocked and Unattended
Penalty
Summary
A medication cart was observed left unlocked and unattended on two separate occasions while a registered nurse was passing medications. During these times, the cart keys were left on top of the cart and out of the nurse's visual control. These incidents occurred in the presence of residents and staff, with four confused and ambulatory residents identified as having access to the unsecured medication cart. The facility's policies require that medication carts be kept locked and that keys remain in the possession of the nurse administering medications. Only licensed nursing personnel or those lawfully authorized are permitted to access medication storage areas. The Director of Nursing confirmed that the cart should have been locked and the keys kept by the nurse. The residents involved were documented as confused and ambulatory, increasing the risk of unauthorized access to medications.