Medication Storage, Labeling, and Security Deficiencies
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified multiple deficiencies related to the storage, labeling, and security of medications and biologicals within the facility. Medications and supplements for one resident were found stored in a tote bag hanging from a medication cart, which was left unsupervised and unsecured in a hallway. The tote bag contained various opened bottles and loose, unidentified tablets, and the responsible RN acknowledged that there was no available space in the medication cart for these items. Additionally, the RN confirmed that all medications and supplements should be securely stored, but this was not done at the time of observation. Further observations revealed additional lapses in medication management. An Advair inhaler label was found to be faded and unreadable, and a leaking bottle of povidone iodine and a wound cleanser with brownish drops were found in a treatment cart. Expired Sanicloth wipes and Glucerna GT feeding formulas were also discovered in storage areas. In several instances, medications were left unattended or improperly stored, including a box of semaglutide left on a resident's bedside table, magnesium found on top of another resident's dresser, and albuterol inhaler not stored in its protective pouch. In some cases, residents had not been assessed or authorized to self-administer or keep medications at their bedside, and there were no corresponding physician orders. Additional findings included unidentified tablets and capsules found on the floor in front of the nursing station, with staff unable to identify the medications or their intended recipients. Facility policy reviews confirmed that medications are to be stored securely, labeled properly, and only accessible to authorized personnel. However, these policies were not consistently followed, as evidenced by the observed deficiencies in medication storage, labeling, and security throughout the facility.