Expired and Improperly Labeled Medications, Unsecured Medication Cart
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple deficiencies related to medication management and storage. On several medication carts, expired medications and equipment were found, including bottles of anti-itch lotion, Ibuprofen, Zinc, and control drops for an accu chek machine. Some medications were improperly labeled, such as a medication cup containing white pills labeled only with a marker and lacking an expiration date, and bottles with illegible or incomplete resident names. Staff present during these observations acknowledged the expired or improperly labeled items and indicated they would remove or replace them. The Director of Nursing Services confirmed that expired medications should have been removed and destroyed, and that medications should be properly stored and labeled. Additionally, a medication cart was found unlocked and unattended, with no staff in sight. When questioned, a staff member stated she had not noticed the cart was unlocked and believed it normally locks. The Director of Nursing Services stated that medication carts should be locked when staff are not present. These findings demonstrate failures in ensuring that drugs and biologicals are labeled and stored according to professional standards, and that expired items are discarded in a timely manner.