Expired and Unlabeled Medications Found on Medication Carts
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to remove expired medications from use on two of four medication carts inspected. For one resident, expired Morphine Sulfate IR and Lorazepam tablets were found on the medication cart, despite both medications having been discontinued in the previous year. Staff confirmed the presence of these expired and discontinued medications during the inspection, and a review of physician orders verified that these drugs were no longer prescribed for the resident. Additionally, another resident's insulin and treatment cart contained an open Lispro insulin pen with no documented open or expiration date, and an open Lantus Solostar insulin pen that had exceeded the manufacturer's recommended in-use period of 28 days. Staff confirmed these findings, and a review of manufacturer instructions supported that both insulin pens should have been discarded after 28 days of use. These observations indicate that the facility did not ensure proper labeling and timely removal of expired or discontinued medications from active medication storage areas.