Medication Cart Left Unlocked and Unattended
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a medication cart on the A Wing Hall was observed to be left unlocked and unattended against the nurse's station. During the observation, RN A approached the cart and noticed it was unlocked, subsequently securing it. In an interview, RN A acknowledged responsibility for the cart and stated that it was her expectation to lock the cart whenever she walked away. She admitted to leaving the cart unlocked because she went to another cart to use the computer. Further interviews with the DON confirmed that multiple staff, including herself and the ADON, were responsible for ensuring medication carts were locked. The DON reiterated that staff are expected to lock the medication cart when leaving it unattended. Facility policy review indicated that all drugs and biologicals are to be stored in locked compartments accessible only to authorized personnel. The failure to secure the medication cart was directly observed and acknowledged by staff, in contradiction to facility policy and professional standards.