Unlocked Med Cart and Improper Medication Refrigerator Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to properly secure a medication cart and to maintain appropriate storage temperatures for medications. During an observation at the nurse’s station, one medication cart used for storage, transport, and administration of medications was found unlocked and unattended. In interviews, an RN stated that medication carts should always be locked when unattended and acknowledged that leaving them unlocked could allow residents and visitors access to medications. The DON similarly stated her expectation that medication carts be locked at all times when unattended and confirmed that if carts are left unlocked, anyone could access the medications. The facility also failed to maintain the medication storage room refrigerator within the required temperature range of 36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit. Review of the refrigerator temperature logs for a two-month period showed recorded temperatures of 65°F on one date and 48°F on two other dates. During an observation of the medication room, both the built-in and portable thermometers in the medication refrigerator showed a temperature of 50°F. A CMA stated the refrigerator temperature should be around 42°F and not more than 46°F, and confirmed the observed 50°F reading. The DON stated that the medication refrigerator temperature should be within the appropriate range, documented daily, and confirmed that 50°F was too warm and that medications not stored at the correct temperature can become ineffective and unusable for residents.
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