Expired and Non-Sterile Biologicals Found on Treatment Cart
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that expired medications and biologicals were removed from and not stored with other medications and biologicals in use. During an observation of the treatment cart, surveyors found several expired items, including occlusive gauze strip overwraps, AMD antimicrobial sterile 2x2's, and a Plus Silicone Border Dressing, as well as opened and no longer sterile items such as Iodoform Packing and an occlusive gauze strip. These items were stored on the treatment cart in violation of the facility's policy, which requires routine inspection and removal of discontinued, outdated, or deteriorated medications and biologicals. The Director of Nursing confirmed the presence of these expired and non-sterile items during the survey.