Failure to Securely Store and Properly Label Medications
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that drugs and biologicals were stored securely and in accordance with professional standards. During an observation, a Fluticasone inhaler labeled with a resident's name was found on top of the resident's overbed table, rather than being stored in a locked compartment as required by facility policy. The resident, who had a diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and a physician's order for the inhaler, confirmed that nurses had given her the medication but could not recall which nurse provided it. The inhaler remained unsecured during a follow-up observation with the Director of Nursing. Additionally, an inspection of the medication refrigerator in the medication room revealed an open vial of tuberculin purified protein derivative that was not dated. The Director of Nursing confirmed that the vial was not labeled with the date it was opened, which is contrary to facility policy requiring multi-dose vials to be dated upon opening. These findings demonstrate lapses in the secure storage and proper labeling of medications and biologicals within the facility.