Medication Storage and Labeling Deficiencies
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple deficiencies related to medication storage and labeling in two medication rooms. In one instance, a medication refrigerator containing medications was found unlocked, and a registered nurse acknowledged forgetting to secure it. In another medication room, an expired ear wax removal medication, which should have been discarded after the resident's departure, was found stored. Nursing staff are responsible for weekly checks for expired medications, but the expired item had been missed. Additionally, temperature logs for medication refrigerators were incomplete, with numerous days across several months lacking documentation of temperature checks and signatures. Staff interviewed confirmed that temperature logs are required to be completed daily during the overnight shift but could not explain the lapses. Furthermore, a refrigerator storing medications was found unlocked due to a broken lock, and staff were unsure how long the lock had been inoperable. Facility policy requires daily temperature checks and removal of expired medications from storage areas.