Expired and Unlabeled Medications Improperly Stored in Medication Carts
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to ensure expired medications were removed from active medication storage and that all medications were stored safely and in accordance with facility policy. During an observation of one medication cart, a bottle of Tramadol that had expired in May 2024 was found in the narcotic drawer. A Licensed Practical Nurse confirmed that the expired medication should not have been present in the cart and indicated it should have been returned to the resident's spouse. Additionally, the facility's policy requires that expiration dates be checked prior to administration and that expired medications be removed and disposed of. Further observations revealed that medications were left pre-poured and unlabeled in the top drawer of a medication cart, as well as on top of the cart. A Registered Nurse explained that these were topical creams intended for two residents, but acknowledged that the medications had been left in the cart because one resident was in the bathroom and the other was in therapy. The Assistant Director of Nursing confirmed that medications should not be poured and left in the medication cart, and that expired medications should be removed and disposed of. These findings indicate a failure to follow established policies for medication storage and labeling.