Unsecured Medication Found at Resident Bedside
Penalty
Summary
A bottle of Nystatin Topical Powder was found unattended and unsecured at the bedside of a female resident with diabetes mellitus Type 2, mild cognitive impairment, pituitary gland disorder, and obesity. The resident had an order for Nystatin Powder to be applied topically for a yeast rash, and her care plan included medication administration as an intervention for pressure ulcer prevention. The medication was observed on the resident's bedside table during a survey, and the resident stated she had an order for medications to be left at her bedside. Multiple staff interviews, including those with the LVN, ADON, RN, and DON, revealed that none were aware of the medication being left at the bedside, and all confirmed that facility policy did not allow medications to be left in residents' rooms. The facility's Medication Administration Procedures required all medications to be administered by licensed personnel, and there was no policy permitting bedside medications. The presence of the medication at the bedside was not in accordance with professional principles or facility policy, and staff acknowledged the responsibility to ensure medications are properly stored and not left accessible in resident rooms.