Medication Cart Left Unlocked and Unattended
Penalty
Summary
A medication cart assigned to the 1 and 2 hallways was observed left unlocked and unattended in front of the nurse's station. The cart was under the responsibility of an RN, who was present at the nurse's station but not attending to the cart. Upon being informed by the surveyor, the RN immediately locked the cart. The RN acknowledged responsibility for securing the cart and stated that he was expected to lock it whenever he walked away. He explained that he had unlocked the cart for an auditor, who left it unlocked, and he was unaware that it had not been secured. The Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed that multiple staff, including herself and the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON), were responsible for ensuring medication carts were locked. The DON stated that staff were expected to lock the cart when leaving it unattended. Facility policy reviewed indicated that all medications must be stored securely, with access limited to authorized personnel, and that medication carts must be locked or attended at all times.