Medication Carts Left Unlocked and Unattended
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that medication carts on two separate halls were left unlocked and unattended, with keys either left on top of the cart or the cart simply left open. On the 200 Hall, a medication cart was found in the hallway unlocked with the keys on top and no staff nearby. The nurse responsible for the cart stated she had been called away to assist with a resident transfer and left the cart unsecured. On the 300 Hall, two medication carts were also found unlocked, with staff walking by without securing them. The nurse responsible for these carts indicated she had left to get trash bags after completing her medication pass, leaving the carts unattended and unlocked. Interviews with nursing staff and the Director of Nursing confirmed that the expectation is for medication carts to be locked at all times unless medications are being accessed. The facility's policy requires that medications and biologicals be stored securely and only accessible to authorized personnel. The observed failure to secure the medication carts and keys resulted in unauthorized access to medications, contrary to both facility policy and regulatory requirements.