Improper Storage and Expired Supplies in Medication Room and Cart
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure proper storage and labeling of drugs and biologicals, as required by professional standards and facility policy. During an observation, expired Xeroform Medicated Petrolatum Dressings were found in the medication room, with staff unable to explain why these expired items were present. The Director of Nursing (DON) stated that while the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) regularly checked for expired medications, it was not clear that wound supplies were also being checked for expiration. The facility policy required all expired medications to be removed from active supply and destroyed, but this was not followed in this instance. Additionally, a medication cart (Medication Cart B) was observed left unlocked and unattended in a hallway. The nurse responsible for the cart acknowledged being trained to lock the cart when unattended but admitted to leaving it open while retrieving another medication. Both the DON and the Administrator confirmed that staff were trained to keep medication carts secured and that expired supplies should be removed, but these procedures were not followed, resulting in the deficiencies observed.