Medication Carts Left Unlocked and Medications Unlabeled
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that seven out of fourteen medication carts were left unlocked and unsecured when not in use, with drawers open and the key lock visibly protruding. Multiple medication carts on both the first and second floors were unattended by staff, and in one instance, the cart keys were found inside a binder on top of a cart. Staff interviews confirmed that medication carts should be locked when not in use to prevent unauthorized access. Additionally, several biologicals, including various types of insulin and heparin, were found on multiple carts without proper labeling or dating, contrary to facility policy and accepted pharmaceutical practices. Staff members, including CMAs and LVNs, acknowledged during interviews that insulins should be dated when opened and that medication carts should remain locked if not in immediate use. The facility's policy requires multi-dose vials to be dated and discarded within 28 days unless otherwise specified. Despite this, surveyors found undated and unlabeled insulin and heparin on several carts, and staff were not always present to monitor the carts, increasing the risk of improper medication handling.