Improper Storage and Labeling of Medications in Medication Cart
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that medications in the Middle South medication cart were not properly stored or labeled according to facility policy and professional standards. Specifically, the top drawer of the cart contained six or seven loose plastic medication cups, each with multiple unlabeled medications. The only identifying information on the cups was a room number written on them. When questioned, the LPN present quickly disposed of the cups before the surveyor could count or further inspect the medications. The LPN explained that the medications were for residents scheduled to go out to appointments and that one resident had refused their medications. The Director of Nursing (DON) later confirmed that it was her expectation that medications should not be pre-poured and that there should not be cups with unlabeled medications for multiple residents stored in the medication cart. The facility's policy requires medications to be stored in an orderly manner, with each resident's medications assigned to an individual area to prevent mixing. The observed practice did not comply with these requirements, resulting in a deficiency related to medication storage and labeling.