Medication Storage, Labeling, and Disposal Deficiencies
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified multiple failures in the facility's medication management practices, specifically regarding the storage, labeling, and disposal of drugs and biologicals. The temperature in the medication storage room was consistently above the facility's acceptable range, and the medication refrigerator lacked a thermometer for monitoring. Open vials of tuberculin purified protein were found without open dates, and expired IV medications remained in the refrigerator. Additionally, an opened emergency medication kit was not restocked in a timely manner, and soiled boxes of glucose gel were not removed from storage. Inspections of medication carts revealed further deficiencies. Expired, opened, and soiled supply packages were present in one cart, while another cart contained improperly labeled medications, including an opened box of artificial tears without a resident name and loose tablets and capsules. Insulin pens were not consistently labeled with expiration dates, and some liquid medication bottles were found with sticky residue. In one instance, a medication for a resident did not have a visible expiration date. The facility also failed to ensure the proper disposal of medications, as loose tablets and capsules were observed on top of the pharmaceutical waste bin in the biohazard room. These findings were verified by nursing staff and management during the survey. The facility's policies require medications to be stored securely, labeled accurately, and disposed of promptly if expired or contaminated, but these procedures were not consistently followed.