Unattended Medication Left on Cart in Common Area
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a bottle of polyethylene glycol powder for oral solution (MiraLAX), prescribed to a resident, was observed sitting unattended on top of a medication cart located in a common area near the dining room, where two residents and two visitors were present. The medication cart was not within the line of sight of a nurse at the time of the observation. According to the facility's Medication Administration policy, medications are to be stored in locked carts or rooms, and carts not in medication rooms must be locked when not in use or kept within the nurse's line of sight. Upon return, the registered nurse confirmed the medication was MiraLAX and acknowledged that medications should probably not be left unattended. The Director of Nursing also confirmed that medications are not to be left on top of the cart unattended.