Failure to Properly Label and Remove Expired Insulin Vials
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that one opened vial of Humulin R insulin for Resident 6 was stored in a medication cart without a labeled open date, contrary to manufacturer requirements that the medication be used or discarded within 31 days of opening. During the inspection, the Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN 1) confirmed that the vial was open but not labeled, making it unclear when the medication would expire. This lack of labeling meant staff could not determine if the insulin was still safe and effective for use. Additionally, another opened vial of Humulin R insulin for Resident 104 was found in the same medication cart with an open date that indicated it had already expired, yet it had not been removed from storage. LVN 1 acknowledged that the expired insulin should have been removed and that its continued presence in the cart was not in accordance with facility policy or manufacturer guidelines. The facility's policy requires that all drugs be stored safely and that outdated medications be returned to the pharmacy or destroyed, which was not followed in these instances.