Failure to Properly Label and Store Medications on Medication Carts
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to store and label medications in accordance with professional standards on three of four medication carts. Specifically, on the A-Hall medication cart, an unopened vial of insulin Lispro for one resident was found undated, and two inhalers (Symbicort and Albuterol) for another resident were opened but not dated. On the B-Hall medication cart, a Combivent inhaler for a resident was present and dated, but the report does not specify if the date was appropriate. On the C-Hall medication cart, an opened vial of Humalog insulin for a resident was found undated, with the nurse indicating it had just been labeled with the pharmacy delivery date at the time of observation. During interviews, the DON confirmed that all insulins in the medication cart should be dated, and unopened insulins should be stored in the refrigerator. The DON also stated that inhalers such as Albuterol, Symbicort, and Combivent have specific expiration periods after opening and should be dated accordingly, with undated inhalers being discarded after their expiration. The facility's policy on product expiration dates was provided, confirming these requirements. The failure to date and properly store these medications constituted a deficiency in medication management.