Medication Cart Left Unlocked and Unattended
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a medication cart on Hall 400 was left unlocked and unattended for approximately five minutes in front of the nurse's station. The drawers of the cart faced the hallway, and no staff were present in the area during this time. LVN A was observed walking by the cart, pressing the lock closed, and then leaving the hall with a resident, but the cart remained unlocked. No residents or visitors were in the immediate area at the time of the observation. Interviews with staff confirmed that the medication cart should be locked when not in use to prevent unauthorized access. LVN A acknowledged that she should have locked the cart before leaving to check on a resident who had returned from dialysis. The DON also stated that medication carts must be locked to prevent drug diversion and unauthorized access. Review of the facility's policy indicated that all drugs and biologicals are to be stored in locked compartments, accessible only to authorized personnel.