Deficient Medication Storage, Expired Supplies, and Unsanitary Medication Carts
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified multiple deficiencies related to the storage, labeling, and disposal of drugs and biologicals within the facility. Inspections of several medication carts revealed that arformoterol, a medication used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, was not stored according to the manufacturer's instructions. Both unopened and opened unit dose vials of arformoterol were found in medication carts rather than in a refrigerator, as required. Staff interviews confirmed that the facility did not monitor the temperature of the medication carts to ensure compliance with the specified storage range, and the Director of Nursing acknowledged that the medication should have been refrigerated. Further observations found expired medical supplies and medications in multiple locations, including medication carts and the medication storage room. Items such as a small bore extension set, povidone-iodine swab sticks, a bottle of disinfectant, and COVID-19 antigen self-test kits were all found to be past their expiration dates and had not been properly discarded. Staff verified these findings and stated that expired items should have been removed from use and disposed of according to facility policy. Additionally, medication carts were found to be in unsanitary condition, with sticky residues and dried medication observed on bottles and cart surfaces. Staff confirmed that these carts should have been maintained in a clean and sanitary manner to ensure infection control. The facility's policies and procedures require proper storage, sanitation, and disposal of medications and supplies, but these were not followed as observed during the survey.