Failure to Properly Store and Label Medication on Medication Cart
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when medications were not properly stored according to facility policy and professional standards. During a medication pass, an opened and undated Ipratropium-Albuterol Solution was found on a medication cart. The facility's policy requires that medications be stored securely and properly, following manufacturer recommendations, and that any outdated, contaminated, or improperly labeled medications be removed from stock and disposed of according to procedure. The opened and undated medication was confirmed by an LPN and the LPN Manager, who instructed that it be disposed of. However, the medication was placed in the med cart's trash bag, which was later confirmed by the LPN Manager as not being an appropriate disposal method. The incident involved a resident with diagnoses of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Depression, who had intact cognition as indicated by a BIMS score of 15. The physician's order specified the use of Ipratropium-Albuterol Solution via nebulizer for bronchospasm. The Director of Nursing confirmed that the medication packaging should not have been opened and left undated, indicating a failure to adhere to proper medication storage and labeling protocols.