Medications Stored Above Manufacturer-Recommended Temperature
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors found that the facility failed to store medications at the appropriate temperature in one of three medication rooms, specifically the Station 2 Medication Room. The daily temperature log showed that the room temperature reached 78°F on two consecutive days, exceeding the maximum storage temperature of 77°F indicated on the product labeling for several medications. During an inspection, multiple medications, including acetaminophen, senna syrup, loperamide, and docusate sodium, were observed stored in this room. The Assistant Director of Nursing confirmed that the product labels required storage at or below 77°F. A review of the facility's policy on medication storage, approved in January 2025, stated that medications and biologicals must be stored safely and according to manufacturer recommendations. The Director of Nursing acknowledged this policy during the interview and record review. The failure to maintain the required storage temperature for these medications constituted a deficiency in following both manufacturer guidelines and facility policy.