Failure to Properly Store, Label, and Secure Medications and Biologicals
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to properly store and label medications and biologicals in accordance with professional standards and facility policy. During reviews of two out of three medication rooms and two out of three medication carts, surveyors observed expired medications, including a vial of tuberculin and insulin pens, as well as insulin pens that were not labeled with expiration dates as required. Additionally, a tuberculin vial in one medication room was found to be opened without being labeled with the date it was opened. These findings were confirmed by LPNs and the Director of Nursing during interviews. In one instance, a resident with diagnoses of hypertension, diabetes, and COPD was prescribed Basaglar insulin. During a medication pass, an LPN prepared the resident's insulin pen and left it unattended on top of the medication cart while administering oral medications in the resident's room, making the insulin pen accessible to anyone passing by. This was acknowledged by the LPN during an interview. The facility's failure to ensure proper storage, labeling, and security of medications and biologicals was observed and confirmed by staff.