Insulin Pens Not Dated Upon Opening
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that insulin injector pens were properly dated when opened, as required by professional standards and facility policy. During medication administration for a resident with multiple diagnoses including diabetes mellitus, gas gangrene, chronic osteomyelitis, peripheral vascular disease, and hypertension, it was observed that both the Insulin Glargine and Insulin Lispro pens used for the resident did not have an opening date indicated on them. The registered nurse who administered the insulin confirmed that neither pen was dated to show when it was first opened. Review of the facility's medication administration policy revealed that staff are required to record the date on multi-dose containers when they are opened and to check expiration or beyond-use dates prior to administration. Despite this policy, the insulin pens in use for the resident were not dated, representing a failure to follow established procedures for medication labeling and storage.