Unattended Medications Left at Bedside by MA
Penalty
Summary
A medication aide (MA) failed to ensure that medications for a resident were secured, leaving multiple pills unattended in open medication cups on the resident's bedside table and nightstand. The resident, who was cognitively intact and admitted for respite care, reported that the MA routinely left her medications in this manner, following the resident's home routine as described by her family. The MA did not verify whether the resident had been assessed and approved for self-administration of medications, and instead relied on the family's instructions. Facility records showed that the resident was only approved to self-administer a specific inhaler at bedside, with no approval for unsupervised administration of oral medications. The MA acknowledged that she did not check the resident's self-administration assessment and admitted to leaving medications unattended for this resident, but not for others. The MA also stated that she separated the medications into two cups for the resident's convenience and would check back later to see if the medications had been taken. Interviews with the Director of Nursing (DON) and the Administrator confirmed that facility policy requires staff to remain with residents until all medications are taken and prohibits leaving medications unattended. Both stated that staff must follow the facility's process for self-administration, regardless of family input. Facility policy and competency assessments further confirmed that medications must be stored securely and only authorized personnel should have access, and that staff are expected to remain with residents during medication administration.