Medication Security and Storage Deficiencies
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to maintain proper security and storage of medications and biologicals. The Director of Nursing (DON) was seen retrieving medication room keys from an unsecured drawer at the nurse's station, which was accessible to both staff and visitors. These keys provided access to the medication room, including narcotic and emergency drug kits. Additionally, food items, specifically a container of peanut butter bars, were found stored on the counter in the medication room, contrary to facility policy. An opened vial of Aplisol (tuberculosis testing solution) was found in the medication room refrigerator without an opened date, and the DON acknowledged that food should not be stored in the medication room. Further observations revealed that a Registered Nurse (RN) opened a medication cart containing a Humalog insulin pen for a resident with type 2 diabetes that had been opened beyond the recommended 28-day period, as well as undated multi-use containers of Prosource Plus Liquid Protein and Milk of Magnesia (MOM) for two residents. The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) confirmed that insulin should be discarded 28 days after opening and that all multi-use medications should be dated when opened. Facility policies provided by the DON supported these requirements, indicating that only authorized staff should have access to medication storage areas, food should not be stored with medications, and opened medications should be dated and discarded per manufacturer guidelines.