Improper Medication Labeling and Inadequate Refrigeration Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to ensure proper labeling and dating of opened medications and wound care products. Specifically, an opened tube of Medihoney and an opened tube of Dermasyn hydrogel wound dressing were found in the treatment cart without labels or dates. These findings were confirmed by nursing staff at the time of observation. Additionally, the facility did not maintain proper storage temperatures for medications requiring refrigeration. The medication refrigerator in one medication room was found to be at 60 degrees Fahrenheit during one observation and 50 degrees Fahrenheit during another, both outside the required range of 36-46 degrees Fahrenheit. These temperature readings were confirmed by nursing staff present during the observations. A review of the facility's temperature log for the medication refrigerator showed inconsistent documentation, including a temperature marked above 46 degrees without an actual value and a recorded temperature of 45 degrees. The facility's policy requires that medications be stored according to manufacturer recommendations, with refrigerated medications kept between 36-46 degrees Fahrenheit and temperatures documented daily. The policy also states that the maintenance department should be contacted immediately in the event of refrigerator malfunction. These deficiencies in medication labeling and storage had the potential to affect all residents in the facility.