Improper Storage of Medications in Medication Cart
Penalty
Summary
During an inspection of Medication Cart A, surveyors observed four unlabeled loose pills and four labeled pharmaceutical products located behind the drawers and at the back of the medication cart. Licensed nursing staff confirmed the presence of these medications, noting that the loose pills were found at the bottom of the drawer and the labeled medications were misplaced at the back of the cart. The staff acknowledged that such storage practices could result in medication errors, and stated that the cart should be checked daily to prevent medications from falling into inaccessible areas. The Director of Nursing confirmed that medications should not be loose in the drawers and that labeled medications should not be stored at the back of the cart behind the drawers. Facility policy requires that medications and biologicals be stored in their original packaging and containers, and that storage areas be maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner. The policy also specifies that medications are to be stored in an orderly manner, with each resident's medications assigned to individual compartments to prevent mixing. The observed failure to adhere to these procedures led to the deficiency.