Medication Storage and Labeling Deficiencies
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple deficiencies related to medication storage and labeling. During a medication pass, an RN prepared to administer an IV antibiotic to a resident with a PICC line and left a pre-filled normal saline syringe unsecured on the resident's over bed table after flushing the line. The RN later stated she was unaware that the syringe should not have been left in the resident's room. Additionally, in the Memory Unit medication room, a locked refrigerator contained an emergency drug kit (EDK) box that was found to be expired. The RN present indicated that the pharmacy was responsible for checking the medication room weekly, and the Director of Nursing confirmed that the pharmacy was supposed to check the EDK box during their visits. Further, on the Rainbow Unit, a medication cart was found to contain a multi-dose vial of Lispro Insulin that was past its expiration date. The Director of Nursing acknowledged that the expired insulin should have been discarded. The facility's current medication storage policy requires all drugs and biologicals to be stored in locked compartments or under direct observation during medication passes, and that expired medications should not be present. These observations demonstrate failures to adhere to proper medication storage and labeling protocols.