Medication Labeling and Security Deficiencies
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified multiple deficiencies related to the labeling and storage of medications and biologicals. Two bubble packs containing Eliquis, a blood thinner prescribed to a resident, were found in a medication cart without expiration dates. The nurse confirmed that expiration dates are typically verified upon receipt from the pharmacy, but these packs were missing the required information. Additionally, eight tubes of Santyl ointment, used for wound care, were discovered in a treatment cart without resident identification labels. The facility's policy and procedure require all prescription drugs to be properly labeled with specific information, including the resident's name and expiration date, but these requirements were not met. Further observations revealed that two medication carts were left unlocked and unattended by nursing staff for extended periods during medication administration. One cart was left unattended for ten minutes, and another for five minutes, both times without being secured as required by facility policy. Staff acknowledged that the carts should have been locked when not in use, and the facility's policy mandates that medication carts must be securely locked at all times when out of the nurse's view. These lapses in medication security and labeling were verified through interviews and policy review.