Failure to Properly Label Insulin Vial and Secure Medication Cart
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified that the facility failed to comply with accepted professional principles for the storage and labeling of drugs and biologicals. During an observation in the medication room, an opened multi-dose vial of insulin labeled for a specific resident was found in the refrigerator without a date indicating when it was opened. The LPN present confirmed that the vial should have been dated upon opening, in accordance with facility policy, but was not. Additionally, surveyors observed that Medication Cart #3 was left unattended and unlocked in a hallway for several minutes while the responsible LPN was performing resident care in a closed room. The LPN acknowledged that the cart should have been locked before leaving it unattended. The Director of Nursing confirmed that staff are expected to label and date multi-dose vials upon opening and to keep medication carts locked when not under direct observation.