Expired IV Medical Supplies Not Removed from Storage
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to follow its own policy and procedures regarding the storage and disposal of medical supplies. During an inspection of the IV medication storage cart, a Registered Nurse Supervisor confirmed the presence of expired medical supplies, including one StatLock catheter stabilization device, nine StatLock PICC Plus catheter stabilization devices, and four IV start kits. These items were found to be past their use-by or expiration dates. The facility's policy, as reviewed by surveyors, requires that all drugs, biologicals, and medical supplies be stored in a safe, secure, and orderly manner, and that discontinued, outdated, or deteriorated items must not be used and should be removed or destroyed. The expired supplies were still present in the storage cart at the time of the survey, indicating a failure to adhere to these procedures.