Failure to Properly Label and Secure Medications in Nurses' Stations
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that medications and biologicals were not properly labeled or securely stored in two nurses' stations. At the west side nurse's station, the area was found unattended, and the medication refrigerator under the counter was unlocked. Inside the refrigerator, multiple vials of unopened Lantus and Lispro insulin were found without labels, as well as an opened vial of Purified Protein Derivative tuberculin that lacked an open date, despite instructions to discard after 30 days. An unopened vial of Influenza vaccine was also present. On the counter, there were bags of sodium chloride and a plastic bin containing intravenous fluids, including Meropenem and Ertapenem, labeled for a specific resident, left out in the open. These findings were confirmed by a licensed nurse present during the observation. At the east side nurse's station, similar issues were identified. A plastic bag labeled vancomycin contained multiple vials of the medication, and the medication refrigerator under the counter was also found unlocked with medications inside. The Director of Nursing confirmed that medications were left unattended on the counter and that the refrigerator was not locked. Facility policy requires all drugs and biologicals to be stored in a safe, secure, and orderly manner, with improperly labeled or discontinued drugs returned to the pharmacy or destroyed, and all storage compartments to be locked when not in use.