Unlocked and Unattended Medication and Treatment Carts
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency related to improper storage of medications and biologicals when multiple medication and treatment carts were found unlocked and unattended in facility hallways. During the initial tour on 04/06/26 at 07:50 AM, a treatment cart on Holiday House was observed unlocked and unattended; it contained one resident’s enteral medications, resident supplies, and PRN creams. At 08:10 AM the same day, a treatment cart on another unit was found unlocked and unattended, containing residents’ treatment supplies, PRN creams, and two insulin pens. At 08:20 AM on 04/06/26, a medication cart on that same unit was observed unlocked and unattended in the hallway with three insulins and creams for treatments inside. On 04/07/26 at 07:36 AM, another medication cart on the same unit was again observed unlocked and unattended in the hallway, containing scheduled medications and over-the-counter medications. During interviews, a licensed nurse stated that treatment and medication carts should be locked when out of the nurse’s view, and an administrative nurse confirmed that medication and treatment carts should be locked when not being used. The facility’s Medication Labeling and Storage policy dated 01/30/26 documented that medications would be labeled and stored in accordance with facility requirements and Kansas and Federal laws, including appropriate and safe labeling of medications dispensed to all residents.
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