Medication Left Unattended at Bedside
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) left a resident's medication, specifically polyethylene glycol 3350 powder mixed with water, unattended on the resident's bedside table. The LVN had administered all other scheduled medications but forgot to give the mixed medication, leaving it in the room while stepping away to the nurse station. Upon returning, the LVN realized the medication had not been administered and acknowledged that medications should not be left unattended. This was confirmed during an interview, where the LVN stated that leaving medications unattended could result in other residents taking the medication or the intended resident not receiving it. The resident involved had been admitted with acute respiratory failure, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and benign prostatic hyperplasia, and was prescribed the medication for bowel management. The facility's policy on administering medications required that medications be given safely and timely, following the pour, pass, chart standard of practice. Both the LVN and a registered nurse (RN) interviewed confirmed that the medication should not have been left unattended and that the facility failed to ensure the resident received all scheduled medications before the nurse left the room.