Failure to Secure Medications and Hazardous Materials
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to secure medications, painting supplies, and hazardous chemicals, resulting in potential accident hazards for residents. In one instance, a resident with moderately impaired cognition and multiple medical conditions, including osteomyelitis, respiratory failure, and dependence on renal dialysis, was found with unidentified pills left unattended at his bedside on multiple occasions. The resident stated that staff routinely left medications for him to take at his discretion, and there was no physician's order or care plan authorizing self-administration of medications. Facility policy explicitly prohibited leaving medications unattended or at the bedside. Additionally, a utility cart containing painting supplies and hazardous chemicals, such as wall putty, caulking, paint remover, cleaner/degreaser sprays, and open buckets of paint, was left unsupervised in a hallway near a resident's room. This resident, who had severe cognitive impairment, autistic disorder, unspecified dementia, and intellectual disabilities, was observed wandering unsupervised and stopping near the cart for extended periods. Staff confirmed the resident's confusion and tendency to wander. Facility policy required hazardous materials to be handled and stored safely, but the cart was not secured as required.