Misappropriation of Resident's Controlled Medication by LPN
Penalty
Summary
A facility failed to protect a resident from the misappropriation of their medication. According to facility policy, all controlled substances must be handled, stored, and documented in compliance with laws and regulations. However, a review of records revealed that a resident, who was cognitively intact and required staff assistance for daily care due to peripheral vascular disease, was prescribed Morphine for pain management. The controlled drug record indicated that three doses of Morphine were signed out for the resident on a specific date. An investigation found that the resident's medication packet was missing three doses of Morphine, and that an LPN had misappropriated the Morphine tablets, replacing them with other pills. This was confirmed by the DON, who stated that the LPN took the resident's Morphine. The incident was documented in facility investigative records and confirmed through staff interviews.