Medication Cart Left Unlocked and Opened Medications Not Dated
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the 100 Hall Nurse medication cart was left unlocked and unattended in the hallway, with no nurse present. Upon returning, the unit manager (UM) acknowledged that she mistakenly left the cart open, believing it had been locked. Further inspection of the cart revealed four opened over-the-counter medications—24-hour Allergy Nasal spray, Latanoprost Sol 0.005%, Geri-Tussin (Guaifenesin), and Milk of Magnesia—none of which were dated to indicate when they had been opened. The UM confirmed that opened medications should be dated and are typically considered effective for 30 days after opening. Interviews with the UM and the Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed that medication carts are required to be locked at all times when unattended, in accordance with facility policy. The DON stated that failure to lock the cart could result in unauthorized access to medications. Review of the facility's policy indicated that medication carts must be locked when out of the nurse's view and when not in use, but the policy did not address the requirement to date opened medications.