Expired Medications Found in Storage Rooms and Medication Carts
Penalty
Summary
Facility A failed to ensure that expired over-the-counter (OTC) medications were not present in the medication storage room and on two medication carts. During observations, surveyors found a bottle of probiotic formula and a jar of Fleet glycerin suppositories, both expired, in the medication storage room. On the Long Hall medication cart, several bottles of aspirin and thiamine B-1 vitamins were found to be expired. The Short Hall medication cart also contained expired aspirin, ibuprofen, and a bottle of ferrous sulfate with an illegible expiration date. Interviews with nursing staff and the Director of Nursing (DON) revealed that nurses were responsible for checking medication carts for expired medications, while a secretary was tasked with checking OTC medications in the storage room. Facility B was also found to have expired medications in one of its medication storage rooms and on a medication cart. In the Bluebird Hall medication storage room, a bottle of thiamine vitamin B-1 was expired. On the 100 Hall medication cart, expired [NAME]-Vite tablets and a vial of Lantus insulin past its expiration date were found. The DON confirmed the expired status of the insulin. These findings indicate that both facilities did not adhere to their own policies regarding the storage and timely removal of expired medications.