F0761

E

Expired, Improperly Stored, and Undated Medications in Medication Storerooms

Graham, North Carolina Survey Completed on 03-05-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

Surveyors identified deficiencies in the facility’s handling and storage of medications in two medication storerooms. In the Station 1 Medication Storeroom, an observation revealed an unopened box of Allegra D with a manufacturer’s expiration date of November 2025 that was expired, and an opened box of 14 mg nicotine transdermal patches with a manufacturer’s expiration date of January 2026 that was also expired. Additionally, an unopened 1 mg glucagon pen dispensed for Resident #43 was found stored in the medication storeroom refrigerator at 40°F, despite the manufacturer’s label directing storage at controlled room temperature between 68°F and 77°F. The Station 1 Unit Manager acknowledged responsibility for checking the storeroom to ensure medications were not expired and were stored properly. The DON later stated that everyone, including supervisors, was responsible for checking the medication storeroom and confirmed that glucagon should not be stored in the refrigerator.

In the Station 3 Medication Storeroom, surveyors observed an opened multi-dose vial of Tuberculin PPD injectable solution in the medication storeroom refrigerator. The vial and its manufacturer’s box, dispensed from the pharmacy on January 28, 2026, were not labeled with the date the vial was opened, preventing determination of the shortened expiration date. Manufacturer instructions for the multi-dose PPD vial indicated it should be discarded 30 days after opening. Nurse #1 stated the vial would need to be discarded. During an interview, the DON reiterated that everyone, including supervisors, was responsible for checking the medication storeroom to ensure medications were properly stored and within date, and stated that she expected the nurse who opened a medication to date the label with the opening date.