Failure to Secure Medication Storage and Properly Label Opened Medications
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the medication refrigerator in the second floor medication storage room was left unlocked during a walkthrough with an RN. The RN confirmed that the refrigerator should have been locked according to facility procedures. Additionally, during a review of a medication cart with an LPN, two separate eye drop solutions belonging to two residents were found to be opened but not dated. The LPN acknowledged that medications should be dated when opened. The Director of Nursing was informed of these findings and confirmed that staff are expected to keep the medication refrigerator locked and to mark the date when medications are opened. The facility's own policy requires all medications and biologicals to be securely stored in locked compartments and for staff to record the date opened on medication containers when the expiration date is affected by opening. These observations demonstrate noncompliance with both facility policy and accepted professional standards for medication storage and labeling.