Medication Storage and Labeling Deficiencies
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple failures in the proper storage and labeling of medications across several areas of the facility. On one medication cart, three opened inhaler medications were found without open dates, despite staff acknowledging that inhalers should be dated upon opening and discarded after 30 days. Additionally, an opened bottle of vitamins with remaining tablets was found at a resident's bedside in one room, which staff confirmed should not occur without a physician order and proper storage. The resident in question denied knowledge of the vitamins, and staff confirmed that medications at bedside require a resident assessment, physician order, and secure storage. Further, in the 600 Hall, the shower room door was found propped open and unattended, with an overhead cabinet left unlocked containing a prescription medication labeled for a resident. Staff confirmed that such medications should be secured in the medication cart and not left accessible in an unlocked cabinet. These observations demonstrate lapses in medication management protocols, including failure to label, secure, and properly store medications as required.