Unattended and Unlocked Medication Cart with Exposed Resident Information
Penalty
Summary
A medication cart was observed on two separate occasions in the main hallway of the A Wing, positioned against the left side of the hall, first about halfway down and later about two-thirds down the hallway. On both occasions, the cart was found to be unlocked and unattended, with an open cup of applesauce, a pre-poured cup of nutritional supplement, and a cell phone left on top. Additionally, the computer screen attached to the cart was open and unlocked, displaying resident information. Multiple residents were seen walking by the unattended cart, though none approached it. A registered nurse was observed emerging from a resident's room shortly after each observation of the unattended cart. During an interview, the nurse acknowledged that the cart and computer screen should not have been left unlocked and unattended, especially with ambulatory residents present in the hallway. The Director of Nursing confirmed that facility policy requires medication carts and computer screens to be locked and secured at all times when not in use, and that items should not be left on top of the cart when unattended. The facility's Medication Administration policy also directs that medications be stored in a secure, locked area accessible only to authorized personnel, and that resident confidentiality be maintained.