Improper Disposal of Medications Creates Accident Hazard
Penalty
Summary
Staff failed to provide an environment free from accident hazards by not properly disposing of medications on the [NAME] Unit. Specifically, a nurse was observed dropping two medications, Gabapentin and Sucralfate, on the floor and then disposing of them in an uncovered trash bin attached to the medication cart, rather than following the facility's policy for secure medication disposal. The facility's policy requires that all unused, contaminated, or expired drugs be destroyed in a manner that renders them unfit for human consumption and disposed of in compliance with state and federal requirements. The [NAME] Unit houses a large population of residents with Alzheimer's disease and dementia, with 37 out of 39 residents having these diagnoses. The Director of Nursing confirmed that the nurse should not have disposed of the medications in the trash on the medication cart, but instead should have used the designated medication disposal area to ensure resident safety. The improper disposal of medications in an unsecured trash bin created a potential hazard for residents, particularly those with cognitive impairments.