Failure to Ensure Safe Bedside Medication Storage and Self-Administration Assessment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that drugs and biologicals were labeled and stored in accordance with accepted professional principles, specifically regarding bedside medication storage and self-administration assessments. For one resident with diagnoses including bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and a colostomy, over-the-counter migraine pain relief and hydrocortisone cream were found on the overbed table. The resident reported self-administering these medications for pain and a rash, and stated that the medications had been kept at bedside for several months without staff intervention. The acting DON confirmed that a self-administration assessment and provision of a lock box should have been completed, but these steps were not taken. Another resident with heart disease, arthritis, and a history of falls, who was moderately cognitively impaired, was observed with Biofreeze (a topical pain relief gel) and individual packets of the same medication on their overbed table. The acting DON acknowledged that Biofreeze is considered a medication and that the resident was not permitted to self-administer medications. There was no care plan or assessment in place for self-administration for this resident. Additionally, the facility failed to provide requested policies and procedures related to medication storage and self-administration by the conclusion of the survey.