Unsecured Medications Left in Resident Room
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that medications prescribed to a resident with anxiety and enterocolitis were found unsecured on the floor next to the resident's bed. The medications identified were buspirone hydrochloride and dicyclomine hydrochloride, both of which were ordered to be administered multiple times daily. The registered nurse present confirmed that she typically remained with the resident until all medications were consumed, but could not explain how long the medications had been left on the floor or why they were not secured. The resident also confirmed that the nurse usually stayed with her during medication administration and was unaware of why the medications were on the floor. The medical record review indicated that the resident had intact cognition and a history of rejecting care on some days. Despite this, the facility failed to ensure that medications were administered appropriately and not left unsecured in the resident's room, as required by professional standards and facility policy. This incident was identified during a complaint survey and affected one resident out of those reviewed for medication administration.