Failure to Properly Label and Secure Medication
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to ensure that medications were properly labeled and securely stored in accordance with professional standards. During an observation in a resident's room, a bottle of medicated lotion (Amlactin Daily External Lotion 12%) was found sitting unsecured on top of the resident's dresser. The bottle did not have any labeling to indicate to whom the medication was prescribed, as there was no individual's name listed on the medication bottle. Review of the facility's policy on medication labeling and storage indicated that nursing staff are responsible for maintaining medication storage areas in a safe and orderly manner, with each resident's medications assigned to an individual holding area to prevent mixing. The resident in question had physician orders for the medicated lotion to be applied daily for dry skin, but the medication was not stored or labeled as required. Facility leadership, including the NHA and DON, were notified of these findings.