Failure to Securely Store Medications and Remove Expired Drugs
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that medications were securely stored and that expired medications were discarded, as required by policy and professional standards. In one instance, a resident with diagnoses including anxiety disorder, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and borderline personality disorder was found to have an albuterol inhaler and a Trelegy inhaler unsecured at the bedside. The resident was cognitively intact and independent with mobility, but there was no physician's order or documentation indicating the resident was permitted to self-administer medications. Nursing staff confirmed that all medications for this resident should have been stored and administered by staff, and that the inhalers should not have been left at the bedside. Additionally, observations of medication storage rooms revealed multiple expired items, including a COVID-19 test, glucose test strips, magnesium, bisacodyl tablets, guaifenesin, and omeprazole. The DON confirmed the presence of these expired house stock items, which should have been discarded according to facility policy. The policy also stated that all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments and that the pharmacy and medication rooms are routinely inspected for outdated medications.