Unattended, Unlocked Treatment Cart with Medications and Biologics
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency related to medication and biological storage and labeling when a treatment cart was observed left open and unattended in a hallway near rooms 15A to 24B. During the observation, multiple residents were seen pacing up and down the hallway while the cart remained open, with residents' identifiable prescription creams, Betadine, gauze, bandages, and a nail clipper accessible. A licensed nurse later came down the hallway and locked the treatment cart after it had been observed open. In a concurrent interview, the licensed nurse confirmed the treatment cart had been left open and acknowledged it contained residents' medical information on creams, ointments, and other medications. The nurse stated he could not recall who left the cart open and explained that staff should always close the treatment cart before and after each use. He further stated that open access to the cart posed risks of reactions to chemicals and medications and violations of resident privacy. The DON also stated in an interview that medication and treatment carts should always be locked because they contain sterile solutions and medications with resident identity, and that leaving the cart open allowed residents to grab items from it. Review of the facility’s Medication Labeling and Storage policy indicated that all medications and biologics must be stored in locked compartments and that carts used to transport such items are not to be left unattended if open or otherwise available to others.
We Help Long-Term Care Teams Stay Survey-Ready
We process and analyze inspection reports and plan of correction using AI to extract insights and trends so providers can improve care quality and stay ahead of compliance risks.