Unsecured Topical Medication Left Unattended in Resident Room
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when an opened tube of Miconazole nitrate cream, an over-the-counter antifungal medication, was found left unattended on top of a bedside table in a resident's room. The resident had severely impaired cognition and had never been assessed for self-administration of medication. The medication was observed during a facility survey, and the resident was unable to answer questions during an interview attempt. Nursing staff, including a nurse and a nurse aide, confirmed that the antifungal cream should not have been left in the resident's room and that they had not noticed it during their rounds or medication pass. The Director of Nursing and the Administrator both stated their expectation that staff should ensure no medications are left unattended in resident areas, and that the facility should remain free of unattended medications at all times.