Medication Storage and Labeling Deficiencies Identified
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple failures in medication storage and labeling practices across several medication carts and a medication room. Medications, including multi-dose vials, insulin pens, and eye drops, were found without required expiration dates after opening, despite facility policy mandating that opened medications be dated and assigned a new expiration date. Some medications were missing open dates entirely, and loose tablets were found in medication cart drawers. Additionally, a medication cart was left unlocked and unattended with a computer screen displaying resident medical information, contrary to facility policy requiring carts to be locked when not in direct supervision. Further observations revealed expired medical supplies, such as povidone iodine and bleach wipes, stored in the medication room. There were also instances of medication containers missing lids and multi-dose ampules not stored in their original packaging or properly dated. These findings were confirmed through interviews with nursing staff and the Director of Nursing, who acknowledged the lapses in medication storage and administration procedures.