Improper Storage of Medications and Biologicals
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified that the facility failed to store medications and biologicals in accordance with its own policies and accepted professional standards. In one medication room, a clear plastic bin was found containing medications with different routes of administration, including liquid Lithium, Atorvastatin tablets, and a Symbicort inhaler, as well as both active and discontinued medications. The bin also contained house stock normal saline and wound dressings. The nurse supervisor and DON confirmed that these items should not have been stored together, and that discontinued medications should have been removed and disposed of per policy. Additionally, opened bottles of 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) were found unattended at the bedside tables of two residents. One resident had both a large and small bottle of normal saline at their bedside, and another had a used bottle of normal saline left at their bedside. The MDS Coordinator confirmed that these items were used for wound treatment and should have been stored in the treatment cart, not left unattended. Facility policy requires that medications and biologicals be stored properly and only accessible to authorized personnel.