Expired Medications Found in Medication Storage Rooms
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a failure to ensure medications were not stored past their expiration dates, as required by facility policy and professional standards. During an observation of a medication storage room conducted with the Assistant Chief Nursing Officer (ACNO), one bottle of Geri-Dryl (Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride) with an expiration date of 07/2025 was found stored beyond its expiration. In a second medication storage room observed shortly afterward, two bottles of Melatonin 3 milligrams with an expiration date of 11/2025 were also found stored past expiration. In an interview, the ACNO confirmed that the identified medications were expired and stated that the expectation was that staff responsible for stocking the medication rooms also check medications to ensure they are not expired. The ACNO stated that the risk associated with storing expired medications is that the medications are less effective. In a separate interview, the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) stated that both central supply and nursing leadership are responsible for inventorying the medication storage rooms and disposing of expired medications, and that medications are expected to be checked for expiration before leaving the storage room. The CNO stated that the risk associated with storing expired medications is that there could be adverse reactions. Review of the facility’s “Medication Storage and Labeling” policy showed that nursing leadership is responsible for inspecting medication carts and storage rooms for expired medications and that expired medications must be promptly removed and disposed of per facility policy and DEA guidelines.
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