Unsecured Medication Left in Resident Room
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a medication, specifically Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Suspension, was left unsecured in a resident's room. The resident, who had diagnoses including dysphagia following cerebral infarction, type two diabetes, and hemiplegia affecting the non-dominant side, was totally dependent on staff for mobility and self-care and did not have an order to self-administer medications. During a medication pass, an LPN discovered the nasal spray on the resident's bedside table after the resident indicated he had already used it, stating that the night shift had left it in his room the previous night. Interviews with the LPN and the Director of Nursing confirmed that medications should not be left in resident rooms and that the resident did not have authorization to self-administer. Review of facility policy also indicated that all medications and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments accessible only to authorized personnel. The failure to secure the medication and ensure it was not accessible to the resident without proper orders constituted a violation of medication storage protocols.