Expired and Unlabeled Insulin Pens Found on Medication Carts
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that expired medications were not available for resident use on two medication carts. During observation, an insulin pen prescribed for one resident was found in a medication cart with an opened date that indicated it was expired, as it had been opened more than 28 days prior. The LPN present confirmed that the insulin pen was expired and still available for use. Additionally, another insulin pen for a different resident was found in a separate medication cart without any label indicating the date it was opened. The LPN interviewed stated that without the opened date, it was not possible to determine if the medication was expired, and acknowledged that the pen should have been discarded. These findings were based on direct observation, staff interviews, and review of relevant medication storage guidelines.