Improper Disposal and Storage of Loose Medications in Medication Carts
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to ensure proper disposal and storage of loose medications in three out of four medication carts inspected. On multiple units, loose pills and suppositories were found scattered in the drawers of medication carts. Staff members, including LPNs, were unable to identify some of the loose medications and acknowledged that these should have been either properly stored or discarded. The facility's policy requires medications to be stored in their original containers and for medications with missing labels to be destroyed and reordered. Interviews with staff revealed inconsistent understanding and implementation of responsibilities for cleaning and maintaining medication carts. Some LPNs stated that all nurses were responsible for cleaning the carts, while another indicated that pharmacy staff cleaned the carts several times a month. The DON clarified that midnight shift nurses were responsible for cleaning, and each nurse was expected to maintain their own cart. Despite these expectations, the presence of loose and unidentified medications in multiple carts indicated a failure to adhere to the facility's medication storage and disposal policies.