Improper Storage of Light-Sensitive Medication
Penalty
No penalty information released
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Summary
During an inspection of Medication Cart A at the Southside Nursing Station, four unit dose vials of ipratropium/albuterol inhalation solution, prescribed for one resident, were found stored outside of their original manufacturer's foil pouch. This storage practice was not in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, which specify that the vials must be protected from light by remaining in the foil pouch until use. A licensed vocational nurse confirmed that the vials should have been kept in the pouch, and the facility's own policy also requires medications to be stored according to manufacturer recommendations. The improper storage had the potential to result in the resident receiving ineffective medication therapy.