Expired and Unlabeled Medications Found in Medication Room
Penalty
Summary
Expired and improperly labeled items were found in the medication room during an observation, including an open bottle of Humulin R insulin without resident identifiers or an open or expiration date, as well as expired Ayr Saline Nasal gel, A&D ointment, diaper rash ointment, a suture removal kit, and duoderm adhesive dressings. Staff interviews revealed that pharmacy staff are responsible for monthly checks of medication expiration dates, and facility staff are also expected to double-check for expired medications and supplies. Despite these procedures, expired items remained in the medication room, and a staff member responsible for monthly checks was unsure how the expired medications were missed. Facility policy requires pharmacy staff to verify all medication expiration dates and remove expired medications.