Unattended Medication Bottle Left Accessible on Medication Cart
Penalty
Summary
A Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) was observed preparing morning medications for a resident with diagnoses including type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and COPD. During the medication pass, the LVN removed a bottle of vitamin C from the medication cart, dispensed a tablet, and left the bottle unsecured on top of the cart before entering the resident's room to administer medications. The bottle of vitamin C was left unattended and easily accessible to other residents in the hallway. The LVN later acknowledged leaving the vitamin C bottle outside the medication cart, stating that medications should not be left unattended and accessible to residents. The Director of Nursing confirmed that the bottle should not have been left on the cart, as it allowed unsupervised access to medications. Facility policies reviewed indicated that medications must be stored securely and only accessible to authorized personnel, with medication carts locked or attended at all times.