Medications Left Unattended at Bedside
Penalty
Summary
A licensed nurse left two liquid medications, protein supplement and lactulose, on a resident's bedside table without directly observing the resident take them. This was observed during a visit, and the resident confirmed the medications were hers. Review of the Medication Administration Record confirmed these medications were prescribed for the resident. The nurse acknowledged leaving the medications at the bedside and stated that he should have observed the resident taking them, as per professional standards and facility policy. The Assistant Director of Nursing also confirmed the importance of not leaving medications at the bedside, citing the risk that another resident could take the medication. Facility policy requires that medications be administered by licensed nurses in accordance with professional standards, including observing the resident consume the medication. The failure to follow this policy resulted in a deficiency related to medication administration practices.