Unattended Medications Left at Bedside by LVN
Penalty
Summary
A Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) failed to ensure the safety and security of medications by leaving 12 medications unattended and unsecured on a portable computer desk at the bedside of a resident. The LVN left the room to retrieve a blood pressure cuff, leaving the medications accessible to anyone who might enter the room. The medications included a variety of oral and topical drugs, such as glycopyrrolate, baclofen, amlodipine besylate, vitamin C, vitamin D3, famotidine, sennosides/docusate/sodium, carmex ointment, calcium carbonate, mineral oil, polyethylene glycol powder, and a multivitamin with minerals. The resident was present in the room at the time, and the LVN returned a few minutes later to administer the medications. During interviews, the LVN acknowledged that medications should not have been left unattended, especially given the proximity to a behavioral health unit. The Director of Nursing confirmed that facility policy requires all medications to be secured in locked storage or under the direct supervision of licensed staff at all times. A review of the facility's policy on safe storage of medications reiterated the requirement for medications to be secured to prevent unauthorized access and minimize the risk of diversion.