Expired and Unlabeled Medications Found in Medication Storage Areas
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that several single-dose blister packets of Omeprazole were stored in a medication cart without their original box, and the individual packets did not display an expiration date. The LVN assigned to the cart confirmed that the expiration date could not be located on the packets and that the original box, which may have contained the expiration date, was not retained. The LVN was unable to verify the expiration dates or how long the medications had been stored in this manner. Additionally, in a medication storage room, a pile of blood culture collection kits was found on a shelf, and inspection revealed that at least one kit was expired. Nursing staff were unsure about the meaning of the date on the kit until the Executive Director confirmed it was expired. The expired kits were present in the medication room, contrary to facility policy, which requires medications and biologicals to be stored in their original packaging and for expired items to be removed.