Unsecured Medications and Ointments Found in Resident Rooms
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that medications and treatment ointments were not stored in accordance with facility policy and professional standards. During an initial facility tour and resident screenings, Zinc Oxide ointment was found unsecured on dressers in two resident rooms, and a half-full 0.9% Sodium Chloride syringe was found on top of a dresser in another resident's room. These items were not stored in locked compartments as required by both facility policy and federal regulations. Photographic evidence was obtained to document these findings. An interview with the East Unit Manager, a Registered Nurse, confirmed that ointments and creams should be kept in residents' personal drawers and that Sodium Chloride solutions must be stored on the medication cart or in the medication room. Review of the facility's medication labeling and storage policy further emphasized that all medications and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, with access limited to authorized personnel. At the time of the survey, 156 residents resided in the facility.