Expired Medications Found in Storage Areas
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified that the facility failed to ensure proper storage and removal of expired medications. During an inspection of a medication cart, an expired insulin lispro pen was found with an expiration date that had already passed. The licensed nurse present acknowledged the medication was expired and confirmed it should have been removed. Review of the medication's provider information indicated that insulin lispro should not be used past its expiration date and that opened vials should be discarded after 28 days. The Director of Nursing stated that nurses are expected to check for expired medications each time they take over the cart, and that expired insulin pens should be dated and replaced. Additionally, an expired multi-dose vial of tuberculin purified protein derivative testing agent was found in a medication room refrigerator. The vial was labeled with an open date and a discard date that had already passed. The Assistant Director of Nursing confirmed the medication was expired and should have been removed from active storage. Facility policy and procedure documents reviewed by surveyors stated that outdated medications are to be removed from storage areas and are not to be available for patient use.