Unsecured Nebulizer Medication Left at Bedside Without Authorization
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident with a diagnosis of emphysema and COPD was observed to have unsecured vials of nebulizer medication at their bedside, with no nursing staff present. The resident reported that staff provided as many vials of nebulizer medication as needed and left them at the bedside, allowing the resident to self-administer the medication. The resident's care plan did not indicate that self-administration of medication was permitted, and there was no documentation of an assessment for self-administration in the clinical record. Facility policy requires all drugs and biologicals to be stored in locked compartments and accessible only to authorized personnel. During observations, staff verified the presence of unsecured medication at the resident's bedside. Interviews with staff revealed that the resident had not been assessed or authorized for self-administration, and the facility's procedures were not followed regarding medication storage and access.