Personal Belongings Found in Medication Cart with Resident Medications
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a medication cart on the 200 Hall, operated by a medication aide, was found to contain a personal handbag in the bottom drawer alongside resident medications. The medication aide acknowledged during the survey that placing personal belongings in the medication cart was against facility policy and immediately removed the item. The nurse in charge confirmed that personal items should be stored in designated staff areas and not in medication carts, as they could introduce contaminants and are not permitted according to facility procedures. The Director of Nursing stated that nursing staff are expected to check medication carts daily to ensure only resident medications and related supplies are present, and that personal belongings should not be stored in the carts. Facility policy requires medication carts to be used exclusively for the storage and administration of medications and related supplies, and to be kept clean and orderly. The presence of a personal item in the medication cart was a direct violation of these established procedures.