Improper Medication Storage and Expired Supplies
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that medications and biologicals were handled securely, accurately labeled, and stored appropriately, as required by their own policies and professional standards. During an observation, a crash cart was found to contain two packages of a biohazard spill kit that had expired over five years prior. The contents of these kits included disposable gloves, absorbent towels, disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer wipes, a plastic scoop with scraper, absorbent powder, a twist tie, and a red biohazard trash bag. The MDS Coordinator confirmed that these expired medical supplies should have been disposed of. In a separate observation, a medication cart was found with an unlocked transparent box compartment attached to its side. Inside, two packets of hydrocortisone acetate cream 1% were stored together with multiple packages of food thickener, a tape measure, medication label directions, and batteries. The MDS Coordinator acknowledged that the cream should have been locked in the treatment cart and not stored with food or other items, verifying the improper storage and lack of security for these medications.