Improper Labeling and Storage of Medications
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to properly label and store medications in accordance with professional standards and facility policy. During an inspection of the medication storage room and cart, a bottle of Morphine Sulfate, a controlled substance, was found in a locked box without a label indicating the resident's name or a physician's order. The LPN present was unable to identify the owner of the medication, and the DON later confirmed that the bottle belonged to a resident whose order for Morphine had been discontinued two months prior. The medication had been opened and used, but was not properly labeled or disposed of after discontinuation. Additionally, a multi-dose vial of Tuberculin Purified Protein Derivative (Mantoux) Tubersol was found in the refrigerator with no cap and a label indicating it had been opened over 30 days prior. The LPN verified the vial had been accessed, and the DON confirmed after consulting with the pharmacy that the vial should have been discarded after 30 days, as per the manufacturer's instructions. Facility policy requires that drug containers with missing or improper labels be returned to the pharmacy and that discontinued or outdated drugs be destroyed or returned, which was not followed in these instances.