Failure to Dispose of Expired Medications and Date Multi-Use Vials
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified that the facility failed to properly dispose of expired medications and did not consistently date multi-use medication vials and insulin pens. During a review of the medication cart and medication room, it was observed that a Glargine insulin pen and a Glargine insulin vial had been opened and dated well beyond their recommended usage periods, and a stock vial of Lispro was also found with an outdated open date. Additionally, an open vial of Aplisol (tuberculin) was found in the medication refrigerator without an open date, contrary to facility policy and manufacturer recommendations. Interviews with facility staff confirmed that all insulin pens, vials, and multi-use injectable medications are required to be dated when opened, and that only one Aplisol vial is kept in the facility at a time. Facility policy and manufacturer guidelines specify that opened vials should be dated and discarded after a set period, typically 28 to 30 days. The failure to follow these procedures was observed to have the potential to affect all 46 residents in the facility.