Medication Cart Left Unlocked and Unattended
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a medication cart (MC #1) was observed unlocked and unattended on the 100-hall, containing residents' prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and narcotics secured in a locked box within the cart. The responsible RN was not present on the hall at the time, and the cart was accessible to other staff, residents, or visitors. The RN later stated she had been trained on medication storage policies, which require the cart to be locked any time it is out of the staff member's sight, and acknowledged she left the cart unlocked when responding to a resident emergency and forgot to secure it. Interviews with the ADON and ADM confirmed that facility policy mandates medication carts be locked when unattended, and that the person assigned to the cart is responsible for ensuring it is secured. Both managers stated that monitoring is conducted through observation, and reiterated the risk of unauthorized access if the cart is left unlocked. Review of the facility's Medication Labeling and Storage Policy further confirmed the requirement for all drugs and biologicals to be stored in locked compartments when not in use.