Failure to Properly Witness Medication Disposal
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that the disposal of multiple unused non-controlled medications was conducted in accordance with its established policy and procedure. Specifically, on May 20, 2025, the destruction of several non-controlled medications, including carvedilol, potassium chloride ER, metformin, pantoprazole DR, amiodarone, divalproex DR, sertraline, and tamsulosin, was not witnessed by two staff members as required. During an interview and record review, the DON confirmed that the medications should have been destroyed in a designated receptacle with two staff present to witness the process, in line with the facility's policy dated April 2019. The DON acknowledged that failure to follow this procedure could allow for medication diversion.