Lack of Documentation for Non-Narcotic Medication Destruction
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to document the disposition and destruction of non-narcotic prescription medications for its residents. During an inspection of the medication room, a nurse was unable to locate any records of prescription drug destruction and was unsure about the procedures for storing or destroying discontinued non-narcotic medications. The medication room did not have a designated storage area for discontinued medications. The Director of Nursing confirmed that nurses were allowed to destroy discontinued prescription medications without any system of documentation or witnessed signatures, and there was no option to return unused drugs to the pharmacy. The Consultant Pharmacist stated she was only involved in the destruction of narcotic drugs and not non-narcotic medications, and indicated that the facility should follow its policy for discontinued drug disposition. A review of the facility's policy on discarding and destroying medications revealed that while it referenced compliance with federal, state, and local regulations for the disposal of non-hazardous pharmaceuticals and controlled substances, it did not address the need for documentation or accountability in the destruction of non-narcotic medications. This lack of documentation and clear procedures for non-narcotic medication destruction was observed in a facility with a resident census of 35.