Medications Left Unattended During Administration
Penalty
Summary
A nurse failed to ensure the safe storage and administration of medications by leaving a medication cup containing pills unattended on a resident's bedside table during a medication pass. According to facility policy, medications must remain under the direct observation of the administering staff or be locked in a secure area, and staff are required to observe residents consuming their medications. In this incident, the nurse placed the medication cup on the resident's bedside table and left the room, contrary to these policies. The resident, who was cognitively intact and had a history of quadriplegia, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and was prescribed antianxiety, antidepressant, anticonvulsant, and opioid medications, noticed that the medication cup contained pills she was not supposed to take. The resident attempted to get the nurse to return but was unsuccessful, and left the medication cup on the table for the Assistant Director of Nursing to review. Both the Assistant Director of Nursing and the Director of Nursing confirmed that medications should not be left unattended and must be administered under direct supervision.