Improper Disposal of Controlled Substance Documented
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to accurately dispose of and record the disposal of a controlled drug, specifically Methadone Concentrate, for one resident. During an observation in the medication room, an Omnicell receipt showed that 90 mg of Methadone was administered and 10 mg was wasted for the resident. The waste was witnessed and documented by two registered nurses. However, the nurse responsible for the disposal described placing both the 10 mg of Methadone and the measuring cup into a black container designated for non-controlled pharmaceutical waste, rather than using the PRO SERIES RX Destroyer, which is specifically labeled for controlled substance waste. This process was confirmed by the nurse during an interview. Further interviews with nursing staff confirmed that the correct procedure, as outlined in the facility's policy, requires controlled substances like Methadone to be disposed of in the RX Destroyer, with only the measuring cup being placed in the non-controlled waste container. The nurse did not follow this protocol, and the error was acknowledged by supervisory staff. The facility's policy, last revised in February 2025, clearly states that controlled substances must be disposed of in the RX Destroyer located in the medication rooms.