Unattended and Unlocked Medication Cart Found in Resident Care Area
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a medication cart (MC #1) on the 300-hall was found unattended and unlocked, containing both prescribed and over-the-counter medications. The medication aide (MA A) responsible for the cart was observed away from the cart, engaged in conversation at the nurses' station, with her back turned and the cart positioned near the dining room entrance. The state surveyor was able to open the drawers and take pictures without being noticed by MA A. During interviews, MA A acknowledged she had been trained on medication storage and was aware of the policy requiring the cart to be locked when not in use, but stated she forgot to lock it due to being distracted. Further interviews with the Director of Nursing (DON) and the Administrator (ADM) confirmed that staff had been trained on medication storage policies, which require medication carts to be locked at all times when not in use and only accessible to authorized personnel. The DON, new to the facility, was not familiar with the specific policy details but expected staff to follow them, while the ADM described monitoring practices for ensuring compliance. Review of the facility's policy confirmed that only licensed nurses or certified medical aides may carry keys and that carts must not be left unlocked or unattended in resident care areas.