Unsecured Medicated Powder Left in Resident Room
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that three bottles of Nystatin medicated powder were left unsecured on top of a resident's dresser over multiple days. The resident, who was admitted with obstructive uropathy and macular degeneration, was assessed as severely cognitively impaired and required partial to moderate assistance with transfers. Despite these conditions, the medicated powders remained accessible in the resident's room without being stored in a locked compartment as required. Interviews with nursing staff and the DON confirmed that medicated powders should be stored in the treatment cart unless there is a physician's order to keep them at the bedside. There was no such order for this resident. The DON and Administrator both acknowledged that the facility's policy was not followed, as the Nystatin powder was not secured and no authorization was present to leave it in the resident's room.