Unattended and Unlocked Medication Cart Found During Survey
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that Cart X, containing medications, was left unattended and unlocked in Hall B, with three of its eight drawers open. This occurred during a medication pass and was witnessed at 8:55 a.m. The cart remained unsecured until a staff member, identified as an LPN, returned. Upon interview, the LPN confirmed that the cart was supposed to be locked and all drawers closed when not attended, acknowledging that the medications were not stored in a safe and secure manner. The facility's policy requires all medications to be stored in locked compartments and for medication carts to be locked when unattended, which was not followed in this instance. The Director of Nursing also confirmed that medication carts are to be locked when unattended to ensure security.