Improper Storage and Labeling of Insulin Medications
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to ensure that medications, specifically various types of insulin, were properly stored according to both facility policy and pharmacy labeling. During an observation of the medication storage room, it was found that several insulin pens and vials were either not labeled with the required expiration or first-used dates, or were not refrigerated as required prior to being opened. For example, one resident's NovoLog FlexPen was opened without an expiration date, and another insulin pen lacked both a first-used date and expiration date. Additional unopened insulin products for other residents were found unrefrigerated, despite pharmacy labels indicating they should be kept refrigerated until opened. Interviews with nursing staff and the Assistant Director of Nursing confirmed that the facility's expectation was for all medications requiring refrigeration, such as insulin, to be refrigerated upon delivery and properly labeled when opened. The staff acknowledged that the observed medications were not stored in accordance with these requirements, and that this was inconsistent with both facility policy and accepted professional standards for medication storage.