Controlled Substance Not Properly Secured in Medication Room
Penalty
Summary
A review of facility policies, observations, and staff interviews revealed that a controlled medication, Ativan, was not stored according to the facility's policy and regulatory requirements. The policy required controlled substances to be kept under double-lock security, with access keys for controlled medications being different from those for other medications. During an observation of the East Side medication room, an opened vial of Ativan was found stored in the medication refrigerator alongside non-controlled medications, without being placed in a separately locked, permanently affixed container. An LPN confirmed the absence of a separately locked container for the Ativan, and the DON also confirmed that the medication was not stored as required.