Medication Labeling and Storage Deficiencies Identified
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple failures in the facility's medication management practices. Specifically, an opened multi-dose insulin Kwik pen for one resident was found with an open date that indicated it had surpassed the 28-day expiration period, and a registered nurse confirmed it should have been discarded. Another resident's insulin Kwik pen was found without any open date on either the pen or its storage bag. Additionally, an eyedrop bottle for a third resident was observed without an open date, and a bottle of Folic Acid house stock was found to be expired but still contained pills. Interviews with nursing staff and the Director of Nursing confirmed that insulin pens and eye drops are required to be labeled with open dates to determine appropriate discard times, and house stock medications should be discarded according to the manufacturer's expiration date. Facility policies reviewed by surveyors also require proper labeling and timely disposal of medications, including multi-dose vials and house stock, in accordance with manufacturer guidelines.