Expired Medications and Improper Storage Temperatures Identified
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to properly store and label medications and medical supplies. Specifically, expired and/or opened medications and supplies were found on multiple medication and treatment carts, including hypodermic safety needles, Diclofenac Sodium Topical Gel, IV start kits, C-Pantoprazole suspension, Aspirin tablets with an illegible expiration date, Nitroglycerin tablets, glucose gels, wound care products, and COVID-19 antigen test kits. Staff interviews confirmed that these items were expired or opened and should have been discarded, and that faded expiration dates made it impossible to determine if some medications were still safe for use. Additionally, the facility failed to maintain emergency medications under safe temperature control. Review of the medication refrigerator temperature logs revealed numerous instances where temperatures were not documented, as well as several recorded temperatures above the recommended range of 36-46°F. On the day of observation, the refrigerator was found to be operating at 48°F and 51°F, and emergency medication kits containing various critical drugs were stored inside. Staff confirmed that temperature checks were not consistently performed and that out-of-range temperatures were not reported as required. Facility policy and FDA recommendations both require proper storage and temperature monitoring for these medications.