Failure to Secure Medications at Bedside
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that medications were stored and secured properly for one resident. According to facility policy, medications are to be administered safely and appropriately, and there was no documentation allowing the resident to self-administer medications. The resident in question had diagnoses including malignant neoplasm of the bladder, muscle weakness, and required assistance with activities of daily living due to physical limitations, including impairment in both upper extremities. The resident was cognitively intact but required staff setup and cleanup assistance with eating and personal hygiene. During observation, three antacid tablets were found in a medicine cup on the resident's over-bed table, accessible to the resident without staff supervision. There was no physician's order permitting the resident to self-administer medications. Both the RN and the Interim DON confirmed that the resident did not have the ability to self-administer medications and that medications should not be stored at the bedside. The facility's failure to properly store the antacid tablets resulted in a deficiency related to accident hazards and inadequate supervision.