Medication Storage and Security Deficiencies
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple failures in the facility's medication storage and handling practices. One medication cart was found unlocked and unattended for several minutes, contrary to facility expectations that carts remain locked when not in the nurse's sight. An LPN admitted to leaving the cart unsecured and also reported a routine practice of storing refused, prepared medications in the cart for later administration, instead of disposing of them as required. Additionally, the LPN was seen leaving a prepared liquid medication unattended on top of the medication cart while retrieving another medication from a separate room, leaving the medication unsupervised. Further deficiencies were identified in the medication storage room, where the refrigerator used for narcotic storage was found unlocked and unmonitored. Inside the refrigerator, a black metal box containing Lorazepam was not permanently affixed, as required for controlled substances. The DON and CNM confirmed these practices, with the DON stating that the expectation was for all controlled substances to be securely stored and for medications to never be left unattended or stored improperly.