Medication Storage and Labeling Deficiencies
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that three opened insulin pens on the east hall nurse medication and treatment cart were not dated when opened, as required by facility guidelines. Licensed staff confirmed the lack of dating, which is necessary to ensure insulin pens are disposed of 28 days after opening. Additionally, the west hall nurse treatment cart was found unlocked and unattended, with administrative staff confirming that medication carts should not be left unsecured when not in the direct presence of licensed staff. A licensed nurse was located nearby but not attending the cart at the time. Further observations revealed that the medication room refrigerator contained expired medications, including two vials of Prevnar 23 vaccine and three vials of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, as well as missing temperature log documentation for the month. Administrative staff verified that expired medications should be removed from use and that insulin pens should be dated upon opening. Facility policies require all drugs and biologicals to be stored securely, with expired or discontinued medications removed from use, and medication carts locked when unattended.