Expired Medications and Biologicals Improperly Stored in Medication Room
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that drugs and biologicals were properly stored in accordance with professional standards and facility policy. During an observation of the First Floor Medication Room, multiple expired items were found, including petroleum gauze dressings, Aquacel dressings, Zinc Oxide ointment, Puracol Ultra Powder, Lemon Glycerin Swabs, Povidone-Iodine prep pads, and an Iodoform Packing Strip. These items were not separated from other medications as required by the facility's policy, which states that expired medications and biologicals should be stored separately until destroyed. Staff interviews confirmed the presence of expired items in the medication room. An LPN acknowledged the expired status of the items during the observation, and both the Nursing Home Administrator and the DON later confirmed that the facility had not properly stored medications and biologicals in one of the two medication rooms. The findings were cited under 28 Pa. Code regulations for pharmacy and nursing services.