Failure to Properly Label and Store Medications in Medication Carts
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to follow accepted professional principles for labeling and storing drugs and biologicals in two of three medication carts reviewed. Specifically, an open bottle of Brimodine eye drops was found without an open date, expiration date, or resident identifier. A box of Cipro ear drops labeled with an expiration date of 6/6 was stored in the medication cart alongside eye drops, contrary to facility policy requiring separation of medications by route of administration. Additionally, an open Breyna inhaler and an open Incruse Ellipta inhaler were found without open dates or open expiration dates. These findings were confirmed by interviews with LPNs responsible for the medication carts. Review of manufacturer instructions and facility policy indicated that these medications require labeling with open dates and must be discarded after specific periods post-opening. The facility's policy also mandates that eye and ear medications be stored separately and that outdated medications be immediately removed from stock. The observed deficiencies demonstrate non-compliance with both professional standards and facility policy regarding medication labeling and storage.