Failure to Monitor and Maintain Medication Refrigerator Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure proper storage and monitoring of medication refrigerator temperatures, as evidenced by review of temperature logs and staff interviews. The logs for July and August 2025 showed that temperatures were not consistently checked and recorded twice daily as required, with 15 instances where the temperature was checked only once or not at all. Additionally, there were 12 occasions when the refrigerator temperature fell below the acceptable range of 36°F to 46°F. Staff interviews confirmed that nurses were responsible for monitoring and documenting refrigerator temperatures each shift, and that out-of-range temperatures should be reported and addressed. The Environmental Services Director acknowledged that the refrigerator had been running low for several weeks and that multiple readings were below the required minimum. The Director of Nursing Services also confirmed the missed checks and out-of-range temperatures on the logs.