Expired and Unlabeled Medications Found on Multiple Med Carts
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that staff failed to discard expired medications and did not consistently label or date medications when opened on multiple medication carts. Specifically, opened boxes of ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate intended for residents with COPD were found on two medication carts with opened dates far exceeding the manufacturer's recommended two-week discard period. Additionally, a bottle of zinc sulfate tablets was found with a manufacturer's expiration date that had already passed. These expired and improperly stored medications were accessible on the 100 and 200 hall medication carts. Further observations revealed that several opened inhalers and nebulizer vials were not labeled with the date they were opened, making it impossible to determine if they were still within the manufacturer's recommended usage period. This issue was noted on the 100, 200, and 400 hall medication carts. In some cases, medications were found outside of their original packaging and without any identifying information or opened dates. Interviews with the DON and Administrator confirmed that the expectation was for staff to label and date medications upon opening and to discard them before expiration, in accordance with manufacturer instructions.