Improper Storage and Expired Medications and Supplies Found in Medication Room
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors found that the facility failed to ensure proper storage of medications, biologicals, and supplies in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and facility policy. During an observation of the medication storage room, medications were found stored on the counter awaiting return to the pharmacy after a resident's discharge. The RN present was unsure if there was a system or log for tracking discharged or discontinued medications, stating that the DON typically handled this process. For narcotics, the RN indicated they must be left in a locked box and given directly to the DON. The facility's policy requires routine inspection of medication rooms for outdated or discontinued medications, but this process was not clearly followed as described by staff. Additionally, expired biologicals and supplies were found in the medication storage room, including opened urethral catheter and foley trays, expired swab cap covers for IVs, and expired feeding tube bags. The RN confirmed that opened trays should have been discarded and acknowledged the presence of expired items. Interviews with the ADON and DON revealed that while purchasing staff help maintain the storage room, all staff are expected to check for expiration dates, but this responsibility was not consistently executed.