Failure to Secure Medications at Bedside Without Assessment
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident, who was cognitively intact and had a history of gastric ulcers, type 2 diabetes, and anemia, was found to have a variety of pills stored in a garlic seasoning bottle inside a Kleenex box at their bedside. The resident stated they only wanted to take their weekly Mounjaro injection and did not want to take the other medications, which included omeprazole, a probiotic, a multivitamin, Vitamin D, and iron. The medication administration record confirmed these medications were prescribed, and the care plan documented the resident's refusal to take any medication other than Mounjaro. Despite the resident's refusal, there was no assessment found that allowed for medications to be left at the bedside, as required by facility policy and professional standards. Both the LPN Unit Manager and the DON confirmed that medications should not be left at the bedside unless an assessment had been completed. The lack of an assessment and the presence of unsecured medications at the resident's bedside constituted a failure to store medications appropriately, as required by regulation.