Failure to Secure and Properly Store Medications
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure proper storage and security of medications for residents. An opened bottle of liquid Pepto Bismol was found left unattended on top of a resident's bedside table, despite the resident not being assessed or approved for self-administration of medication and lacking a physician's order for the medication. The resident, who had moderately impaired cognition, stated that his wife brought the medication into the facility and left it in his room, and he had not used it. Both the nurse and nurse aide who provided care that morning did not notice the medication in the room, and neither reported it. Additionally, during a medication storage audit, three unopened bottles of Latanoprost eye drops were found stored at room temperature in a medication cart, contrary to the manufacturer's instructions that require refrigeration until opened. The bottles were unopened, with intact seals, but had been labeled with opening dates. The nurse present confirmed the improper storage and was unaware of who placed the medications in the cart. Both the DON and the Administrator stated that staff are expected to follow proper medication storage protocols and keep the facility free of unattended medications.