Unattended and Unlocked Treatment Carts with Medications
Penalty
Summary
Nursing staff failed to store drugs and biologicals in accordance with State and Federal requirements, as evidenced by multiple observations of unlocked and unattended treatment carts in two separate halls. On several occasions, the treatment carts were left unsupervised and accessible to staff and residents, with the surveyor able to access prescription ointments, creams, and other treatment supplies inside the carts. These observations occurred over two consecutive days and involved multiple staff and residents passing by the unsecured carts. Facility policy requires that medication carts and supplies be locked when not attended by authorized personnel. During interviews, both a nurse and facility leadership confirmed that treatment carts should remain locked unless a nurse is present. Despite this policy, the carts were repeatedly left unlocked and unsupervised, directly violating facility procedures and regulatory requirements for medication security.