Failure to Remove and Destroy Expired and Discontinued Medications
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to properly store and discard expired and discontinued medications. During an inspection of the medication cart, opened and labeled multi-dose insulin pens for a resident were found, even though the medications had been discontinued in January. The LPN confirmed that these insulin pens should have been removed and destroyed after discontinuation. Additionally, in the medication room refrigerator, an opened box of Bisacodyl suppositories and a bottle of Glycerin suppositories belonging to a deceased resident were found, both past their appropriate use period. The LPN acknowledged that these medications should have been removed and destroyed following the resident's death. The Director of Nursing stated that expired, discontinued, or deceased residents' medications are expected to be removed from circulation and destroyed. The facility's own medication storage policy requires that discontinued, outdated, or deteriorated drugs be returned to the pharmacy or destroyed, and that medications be administered only prior to the manufacturer's expiration date. These observations and staff interviews confirm that the facility did not follow its policy or accepted professional standards regarding medication storage and disposal.