Failure to Label and Date Medications on Medication Cart
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that one medication cart contained a vial of insulin and a bottle of melatonin that were not labeled with an open date or expiration date, contrary to the facility's Medication Labeling and Storage policy. During the observation, an LVN confirmed that all medications are required to have an open date and a visible expiration date to prevent administration of expired medications. The Director of Nursing also stated the expectation that all medications be properly dated. Review of the facility's policy with the Pharmaceutical Consultant confirmed that multi-dose vials must be dated when opened and discarded within 28 days, and that expiration dates must be visible on all medication labels. These findings indicate that the facility failed to ensure medications were labeled and stored according to policy, as required.