Failure to Properly Label and Store Medications
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that medications and biologicals in two medication carts were not properly labeled or stored according to facility policy and accepted professional standards. On the 100-hall medication cart, an open bottle of Carbamide Peroxide 6.5% ear drops and an open bottle of liquid Haloperidol were found without labels indicating the date they were opened. An LPN confirmed that these medications should have been labeled with the date of opening. On the 200-hall medication cart, a Spiriva inhalation spray was found with a discard sticker but lacked a date of opening, and two insulin injection pens (Lispro and Lantus) were missing pharmacy labels. A QMA stated that the pharmacy labels may have fallen off and acknowledged that all medications should be dated when opened. The facility's policy requires medications to be stored in containers with pharmacy labels and to be dated when opened, with expiration dating as specified by the manufacturer or policy.