Unlocked Treatment Cart with Broken Lock Found Unattended
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified that the facility failed to ensure all drugs and biologicals were stored in a locked compartment and accurately labeled, as required by facility policy and regulation. During an observation, a treatment cart on the first floor was found unlocked with the second drawer open and treatment medications visible, while no staff were present. The facility's policy states that all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments and only authorized personnel should have access to the keys. During a medication pass, medications must be under the direct observation of the administering staff or locked in the storage area or cart. A registered nurse acknowledged that the treatment cart's lock was broken and admitted to accepting the cart in that condition at the start of their shift, despite knowing it should not have been used without a functioning lock. The Director of Nursing Services confirmed that all treatment carts should be locked and, if the lock is not working, the cart should not be in use. The deficiency was identified for one of two facility treatment carts, specifically the one observed outside a resident's room.