Expired and Undated Medications Found in Medication Storage Areas
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that medications and biologicals were removed from storage areas once their expiration dates had passed, as required by facility policy and professional standards. During observations and interviews, expired items were found in all three medication and treatment rooms inspected. In the west wing medication room, the Unit Manager confirmed the presence of expired IV tubing kits, sterile water for injection, Piperacillin and Tazobactam for injection, Epinephrine auto injectors, a blood collection set, and needleless connectors. Additionally, a bottle of glucose tablets was found without an expiration date, and the Unit Manager acknowledged that undated items should be discarded. In the north wing medication room, an LPN confirmed that a bottle of Vitamin B-Complex lacked an expiration date and should be thrown out. In the medication treatment room near the south/west nursing station, the Nursing Manager identified expired foley care wipes, skin protectant ointments, and a catheter kit. These findings demonstrate that the facility did not consistently remove expired or undated medications and supplies from storage, contrary to its own policy and accepted professional principles.