Failure to Properly Label Multi-Use Medication Vials
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to ensure drugs and biologicals were labeled in accordance with accepted professional principles, specifically regarding the inclusion of expiration, open, or discard dates. During an inspection of the medication fridge at the nurses station with an LPN, an open multi-use vial of Humalog was found with a date on the box, but the LPN was unsure if it represented the open or discard date. This vial was available for use and belonged to a resident. Additionally, an open multi-use vial of aplisol was present in the fridge without any open or discard date labeled. The DON confirmed that multi-use vials are typically labeled with an open date and that both Humalog and aplisol are considered good for 30 days after opening, but this practice was not followed for the vials in question.