Failure to Properly Label and Remove Outdated Medications
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that medications, including insulin vials and pens as well as eye drops, were found opened and not dated in two of four medication carts and one of two medication refrigerators. Specifically, on the 3000-unit medication cart, a bottle of latanoprost eye drops, a vial of Lantus insulin, and a Lantus insulin pen were all open without an open date. On the 4000-unit medication cart, a full Lantus insulin pen, a vial of Humalog insulin, a half-full Lantus insulin pen, and a lispro insulin pen were also open and not dated. Additionally, the 4000-unit medication storage refrigerator contained an opened Lantus insulin with an expiration date that had already passed. Interviews with staff confirmed that insulin is required to be dated upon opening and should not be used beyond 30 days after opening. The facility's policy, as provided by the Director of Nursing, states that all medications must be stored in their original pharmacy containers with proper labeling and that outdated medications are to be immediately removed and disposed of according to procedures. The observations and staff interviews indicated that these policies were not consistently followed, resulting in the presence of undated and expired medications in medication storage areas.