Unlabeled Open Tuberculin Vial Found in Medication Storage
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that an open multi-use vial of Tuberculin Purified Protein Derivative (PPD), specifically Diluted Aplisol with an expiration date of 2026/8, was stored in the medication storage room without being labeled with the date it was opened. During interviews, a nurse confirmed that the vial should have been labeled with the open date, as Tuberculin vials are only considered good for 30 days after opening. The nurse was unsure why the vial was not dated and stated she had not used it. The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) also confirmed that the vial should have been labeled with the open date and discarded after 30 days, noting that frequent use may have led to staff forgetting to label it. The ADON indicated that medication checks are performed by herself and the unit manager, but the check for that day had not yet been completed at the time of the observation.