Unattended and Unlocked Medication Cart
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when the facility failed to ensure that all drugs and biologicals were stored in locked compartments and labeled according to professional standards. During an observation, a medication cart assigned to the 300 Hall was found unlocked and unattended near the nurse's station. No staff or residents were present at the time. Shortly after, an LVN responsible for the cart noticed it was unlocked and secured it. The LVN acknowledged responsibility for the cart and stated that it should have been locked whenever unattended, admitting she forgot to do so. Further interviews with the DON confirmed that multiple staff, including herself and the ADON, were responsible for ensuring medication carts were locked. The DON reiterated that staff were expected to lock the cart when leaving it unattended and recognized the potential for medications to be accessed by unauthorized individuals if left unsecured. Review of the facility's policy indicated that medication carts are to remain locked at all times when not in use and should not be left unlocked or unattended in resident care areas.