Failure to Date and Label Insulin Pens and Glucose Test Strips
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors found that staff failed to properly label and date medications and medical supplies in accordance with facility policy and professional standards. Specifically, three insulin pens used for two residents in the 400 wing medication cart were open and undated, and an open container of blood glucose test strips in the same cart was also undated. In the 200 wing medication cart, another open and undated container of blood glucose test strips was observed. Staff members, including a registered nurse and a licensed practical nurse, confirmed during the survey that these items should have been dated when opened. The facility's policy requires insulin pens to be labeled with the resident's name, physician's name, date dispensed, type of insulin, dosage, frequency, and expiration date, and to be disposed of after 28 days or per manufacturer recommendations. The Director of Nursing verified that without proper dating, staff would not be able to determine when medications or supplies expired. These lapses in labeling and dating had the potential to affect more than four residents in the facility.