Failure to Secure and Properly Store Medications and Biologicals
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to ensure proper storage and security of medications and biologicals as required by policy and professional standards. Refrigerated medications were found stored outside the recommended temperature range, with the medication refrigerator observed at 65°F due to an ajar door caused by ice buildup, and water was present on the refrigerator floor and on medications. The refrigerator contained various insulin products, Tuberculin Serum, and an emergency supply box with additional medications. Temperature logs for the medication refrigerator were incomplete and inconsistent for several months, with multiple days missing entries. The Director of Nursing confirmed that medications stored outside the recommended temperature range could be rendered ineffective and that temperature logs should be maintained daily. Additionally, two LPNs were observed leaving the medication room unlocked and unattended, with medications accessible and out of staff sight for several minutes on separate occasions. The medication cart in the B Hall was also found unlocked and unattended beside the nurses' station. Staff interviews confirmed that these actions were contrary to facility policy, which requires all medication storage areas to be locked and attended by authorized personnel at all times.