Unsecured House-Stock Topical Medications Left in Resident Room Without Physician Order
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves unsecured medications and lack of physician orders for topical drugs used for a resident. Resident #59 had no active physician orders for 2% miconazole antifungal powder or 10% zinc oxide protective cream, according to a review of the physician orders. During an observation of the resident’s room, surveyors noted a 3-ounce bottle of 2% miconazole powder and a 2.75-ounce tube of 10% zinc oxide cream in clear view on the nightstand beside the bed. The resident stated that nurse aide staff applied both products during incontinence care and that she did not wish to self-administer either medication. During an interview and observation, a nurse aide assigned to the hall entered the room, saw the miconazole powder and zinc oxide cream on the nightstand, and identified them as facility house stock. The nurse aide confirmed that staff applied these products during incontinence care but acknowledged they should not have been left in the resident’s room and removed them. In a subsequent interview, the DON, with the Administrator present, stated that the miconazole powder and zinc oxide cream were supposed to be stored on the treatment cart and not left in the resident’s room, and further explained that a physician’s order was required if the resident needed these products.
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