Insulin Pens Not Properly Labeled or Stored
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that insulin pens were not properly stored and labeled for two residents. During a review of the first-floor medication cart with a registered nurse, a partially used Lantus insulin pen was found without a resident name or open date, and a Humalog Kwik pen labeled for one resident was not opened but was stored outside the refrigerator despite packaging instructions to refrigerate until use. The nurse was unable to identify the owner of the unlabeled Lantus pen and confirmed that all insulin pens should be labeled with the resident's name and open date, and unopened pens should be refrigerated. The Director of Nursing also confirmed these requirements. Facility records showed that both residents had orders for Lantus insulin, and one had an order for Humalog. The facility's own policy requires insulin pens to be labeled with the resident's name and open date, and unopened pens to be refrigerated, which was not followed in these instances.