Expired Medications and Test Kits Found in Medication Storage Areas
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to ensure proper storage and labeling of drugs and biologicals in accordance with professional standards. During an observation of a medication room, an expired dose of Prevnar 20 vaccine was found in the refrigerator for a resident who had already been discharged. The LPN present confirmed that the vaccine was not administered and should have been removed and returned to the pharmacy, but this was not done. Further observations in the Infection Preventionist's medication refrigerator revealed two expired RSV test kits, one expired culture test kit, seventeen influenza vaccines with redacted names, twenty-two COVID-19 vaccines with an expired date, one expired T-dap vaccine, and three expired Shingrix vaccines. These expired items were stored alongside other supplies and vaccines that were still appropriate for use. The Infection Preventionist, who had recently assumed the position, was unaware of these expired items prior to the review.