Failure to Properly Label and Discard Expired Insulin
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to ensure proper labeling and timely disposal of insulin for two residents. During inspection of the medication storage cart, one resident's lispro insulin vial and another resident's novolog insulin vial were both found to be opened and labeled with dates indicating they had been in use for over 30 days, exceeding the facility's policy and manufacturer recommendations for insulin use. Additionally, an opened tresiba insulin pen for the second resident was not labeled with an open date. A registered nurse confirmed that insulin should be labeled with the date opened and discarded after 27 days. Review of physician orders confirmed that these insulins were currently prescribed for the residents. The facility's own policy requires opened insulin to be clearly labeled with the date opened and disposed of after 28 days or per manufacturer instructions.