Unattended Controlled Medication Left at Bedside
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a medication, specifically Xtampza ER (extended release oxycodone), was left unattended at a resident's bedside without a physician's order permitting self-administration or bedside storage. The resident, who was cognitively intact and had diagnoses including neuromuscular dysfunction of the bladder, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and unspecified pain, was observed with a medication cup containing an unknown pill on his bedside table. The resident reported that the night shift nurse had given him the medication, but he fell asleep and forgot to take it. Further investigation confirmed that the medication was left by the night shift LPN, who acknowledged that there was no order to leave medications at the bedside for this resident. Facility policy requires that nurses observe residents consuming their medications to ensure compliance with medication administration protocols. The unattended medication was verified by another LPN during the morning shift, confirming a failure to properly store and administer medications as required.