Failure to Date Opened Glucometer Strip Vials on Medication Carts
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified that staff failed to place open dates on vials of glucometer strips in two out of four medication carts. Observations revealed one open vial of glucometer strips without an open date on the B Hall medication cart and another open container without an open date on the Memory Care Unit medication cart. Staff interviews confirmed that the vials were missing open dates and acknowledged that it was their responsibility to label the vials upon opening, as required by the manufacturer's instructions. The Director of Health Services also confirmed the absence of open dates and stated that it was an expectation for nurses to label the vials when first opened. The facility-provided operator's manual for the blood glucose monitoring system specifically instructed staff to record the date when opening a new bottle of test strips. Multiple LPNs interviewed were aware of this requirement and stated that failure to date the vials could result in the use of expired or compromised strips. The deficiency was identified through direct observation, staff interviews, and review of facility documentation, with no mention of specific residents being affected at the time of the survey.