Improper Medication Storage, Labeling, and Expired Drugs Identified
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified multiple failures in the facility's medication management practices during inspections of medication carts and rooms. Unopened bottles of latanoprost eye drops and an unopened insulin lispro pen, both requiring refrigeration per manufacturer and pharmacy labeling, were found stored at room temperature without documentation of when they were removed from refrigeration. Opened containers of glucose test strips and a vial of tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) were not dated with an open date, despite manufacturer instructions requiring use within a specific timeframe after opening. An opened bottle of fluticasone nasal spray was found without any patient identification, and staff were unable to determine to whom it belonged. Additionally, an Advair inhaler and a vial of PPD were found to be expired, with the inhaler remaining in use beyond the one-month period recommended after opening. These deficiencies were confirmed through observation and interviews with nursing staff and the Director of Nursing. Facility policies required proper labeling, dating, and storage of medications, including returning improperly labeled drugs to the pharmacy and discarding outdated medications. The surveyors found that these policies were not followed, as evidenced by the presence of expired medications, lack of open dates on time-sensitive products, and improper storage conditions for drugs requiring refrigeration.