Improper Medication Labeling and Storage
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple instances where medications and biologicals were not properly labeled, dated, or stored in accordance with facility policy and professional standards. On the 400 hall medication cart, a bottle of nitroglycerin was found with an expired discard date, and two opened insulin pens (Lantus and Humalog) lacked open dates. Additionally, an opened lidocaine cream was missing both a resident name and an open date. Nursing staff confirmed that all medications should be labeled with the resident's name and the date opened, and that expired medications should be removed from the cart. On the 300 hall cart, two opened bottles of Genteal tears eye drops were found without resident names or open dates, and an opened insulin pen was missing an open date, making it unclear if it was safe to use. Staff interviews confirmed these labeling and dating requirements were not met. Further, an unlocked medication cart was observed in the hallway near the 300 Hall, with the narcotic drawer pulled open and no staff present to supervise. The cart was later secured by a nurse, who confirmed that medication carts should be locked when not in use. Review of the facility's policy indicated that all medications and biologicals are to be stored in locked compartments to ensure safety and security, which was not adhered to during the observations.