Unsecured Medication Left at Bedside
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a normal saline flush, intended for intravenous use, was left unsecured at the bedside of a male resident who had been admitted with an infection of an amputation stump and was receiving intravenous medications. The saline flush was observed on the resident's television stand after a nurse administered antibiotics and failed to properly secure the medication. The resident confirmed that the nurse left the saline flush at his bedside. Interviews with facility staff, including an LVN and the DON, confirmed that medications and biologicals, including saline flushes, should not be left at the bedside of any resident. Both staff members acknowledged that such items must be stored securely and only accessible to authorized personnel, as per facility policy and regulatory requirements. Record review of the facility's medication storage policy further supported that all medications must be stored safely and securely, accessible only to authorized personnel.