Medication Storage Policy Not Followed
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident was found to have a bottle of nystatin 100,000 units topical powder stored in her room, rather than in a locked medication or treatment cart as required by facility policy and professional standards. The resident, who is cognitively intact and has multiple medical diagnoses including hypertension, morbid obesity, hyperlipidemia, and COPD, kept the medication in her drawer and would either self-administer or request staff assistance for application. During a bed bath, the resident handed the medication to a CNA for application, revealing that the medication was not secured. Interviews with facility staff, including a CNA, an LVN, and the DON, confirmed that medications are to be stored in locked carts and that only nurses should apply medicated powders. The LVN and DON were unaware that the resident had medication in her room, and both acknowledged that this was against facility policy. Review of the facility's medication storage and labeling policy further confirmed that all medications must be stored in locked compartments and only accessed by authorized personnel.