Expired and Unlabeled Medications, Improper Storage of Personal Items in Medication Rooms
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that in two of four medication rooms, expired medications and biologicals were not discarded as required, and some items were not labeled with the date they were opened. Specifically, in the Bliss unit medication room, expired Polydent Antibacterial Denture Cleaner and hand cream were found, as well as an open box of denture cleaner and an open container of Thick and Easy powder, both lacking the date of opening. Zinc tablets with a valid expiration date were also present, but the open items were not properly labeled. An LPN confirmed that all nurses are responsible for discarding expired medications and dating items when opened, but was unsure why some items were not dated. The hand cream was believed to be a staff member's personal item. In the Reflection unit medication room, an open container of Thick and Easy powder was also found without a date of opening. The Director of Nursing Services (DNS) confirmed that all medications should be labeled and dated once opened, and that personal items for staff should be stored in designated areas such as lockers or closets, not in medication rooms. Facility policies require expired medications to be removed and destroyed, and all opened containers to be dated, but these procedures were not followed in the observed instances.