Medication Storage and Labeling Deficiencies
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple deficiencies related to medication management within the facility. During an inspection of two medication carts, expired and undated medications were found, including an expired vial of Humulin R insulin, an opened and undated vial of Lantus insulin, expired Vitamin E pills, and expired Fish Oil pills. When questioned, the registered nurse present was unable to provide an explanation for the presence of expired and undated medications. The Director of Nursing confirmed that staff are expected to follow facility policy, which requires medications to be dated and discarded per manufacturer guidelines. Additionally, a medication cart was found left unattended in a hallway with three prescribed medications unsecured on top of the cart. The LPN responsible admitted to leaving the cart and medications unattended while attending to a resident's vital signs. The unit manager and DON both confirmed that facility policy requires medication carts to be locked and that no medications should be left unattended or on top of the cart. The resident involved was cognitively intact and had a history of osteoarthritis, recent knee replacement, borderline diabetes, lipidemia, and hypertension.