Unsecured Medication Cart and Breach of Resident Privacy
Penalty
Summary
A medication cart on the 400 unit was observed to be left unlocked with a medication cup containing six pills on top, and a computer displaying a resident's picture and clinical record information. The cart was unattended for several minutes while the assigned LPN left the area to respond to a possible resident emergency on another unit. The LPN later confirmed that medications should not be left unattended and that the cart should have been locked before leaving. Facility policy requires all medications to be stored in locked compartments and for medications to be under the direct observation of the administering staff or locked during medication pass. The policy also mandates the protection of resident privacy during medication administration. The observed incident failed to meet these requirements, resulting in unsecured medications and a breach of resident privacy.