Finding Description
Based on observations, interviews, and record reviews, the facility failed to properly store controlled substances on three out of four sampled medication carts as evidenced by unreconciled medication monitoring/control record sheets. The facility had four medication carts.
The findings included:
On 6/24/2025 at 1:32 PM a medication administration observation was completed with Staff A, Registered Nurse (RN) on the west wing medication cart #1; Staff A, RN verified the physician's order, removed the controlled substance from a bingo card placed it in a medication cup; after administering the controlled substance, Staff A, RN returned to the medication cart and signed in the medication monitoring/ control record sheet to indicate the controlled substance was given.
Interview on 6/24/2025 at 1:37 PM, the surveyor asked Staff A, RN about the protocol for documenting removal of a controlled substance. Staff A, RN replied, I sign the narcotic log after the resident takes the medication because if the resident refuses, I can't sign that I have given it. The surveyor asked Staff A, RN, to explain the purpose of the narcotic log and what is indicated when a substance is given or removed from bingo card and if the log needs to be accurate at all times. Staff A, RN revealed, the narcotic log indicates the substance was removed and yes the narcotic log need to be accurate at all times.
On 6/24/2025 at 1:51 PM a medication storage check was completed with Staff B, Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) on the east medication cart #1. At that time the controlled substance log was observed signed and dated with no time. Upon further review, the electronic administration record (EMAR) was observed unsigned for the controlled substance. (photo evidence)
Interview on 6/24/2025 at 1:55 PM, Staff B, Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) revealed the protocol for signing the narcotic log, Staff B, LPN stated: I administered the medication at 1:19 PM and forgot to sign. I am supposed to sign at the time I remove the medication from the bingo card.
On 6/24/2025 at 1:58 PM, a medication storage check was completed on the east side medication cart #2 with Staff C, LPN, the Medication Monitoring / Control Record was observed signed, no date written, time written but the EMAR was observed signed at 8:40 AM. At 2:00 PM a second Medication Monitoring / Control Record was observed signed, no date written, no time written, amount written, amount written, amount written, amount correct, and the EMAR was signed for that medication at 9:40 AM. (photo evidence)
On 6/24/2025 at 2:01 PM, during the continued medication storage check with Staff C, LPN a Bingo card of controlled substances was observed with a broken seal and tape reinforcing it. (photo evidence)
Interview on 6/24/2025 at 2:01 PM, Staff C, LPN revealed: I didn't have my pen so I couldn't sign the sheet. Sometimes when the pharmacy sends the medication and the bingo card needs to be reinforced so the pill doesn't fall out. Someone placed a tape to help. The correct procedure is to call the pharmacy to resend the medication.
On 6/24/2025 at 3:30 PM, the Director of Nursing stated: Nurses are to verify the physicians' order, verify in the narcotic book, pop out the narcotic, sign his or her name with time date amount at the time it is taken out of the bingo card. The narcotic should always be reconciled and signed out. If there is any tear or abnormality in the bingo card it should be sent back to pharmacy.
Record review of a Policy titled 4.0 Schedule II Controlled Substance Medication (undated) revealed POLICY: This policy is to ensure adherence to state and federal laws relating to the dispensing of Schedule II controlled substance medications. In a non-emergency situation, Schedule Il controlled medications will NOT be dispensed without a written. or electronic prescription. In an emergency and when allowed by federal and state regulations and in compliance with the required documented follow-up procedure, Specialty RX, Inc. pharmacies WILL dispense Schedule Il controlled medications upon an oral authorization but to a 72-hour supply. To dispense Schedule III-V controlled medications, an oral, written, or electronic prescription is required. A pharmacist may not dispense more than a 30-day supply of a controlled substance listed in Schedule Ill upon an oral prescription issued in this state.
H. Dispensing of Controlled Dangerous Substance 5. When a CDS medication is administered, in addition to following proper procedure for the charting of medications, the nurse must document on the declining inventory sheet the date of administration, the quantity administered, the amount of medication remaining and his/her initials
The findings included:
On 6/24/2025 at 1:32 PM a medication administration observation was completed with Staff A, Registered Nurse (RN) on the west wing medication cart #1; Staff A, RN verified the physician's order, removed the controlled substance from a bingo card placed it in a medication cup; after administering the controlled substance, Staff A, RN returned to the medication cart and signed in the medication monitoring/ control record sheet to indicate the controlled substance was given.
Interview on 6/24/2025 at 1:37 PM, the surveyor asked Staff A, RN about the protocol for documenting removal of a controlled substance. Staff A, RN replied, I sign the narcotic log after the resident takes the medication because if the resident refuses, I can't sign that I have given it. The surveyor asked Staff A, RN, to explain the purpose of the narcotic log and what is indicated when a substance is given or removed from bingo card and if the log needs to be accurate at all times. Staff A, RN revealed, the narcotic log indicates the substance was removed and yes the narcotic log need to be accurate at all times.
On 6/24/2025 at 1:51 PM a medication storage check was completed with Staff B, Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) on the east medication cart #1. At that time the controlled substance log was observed signed and dated with no time. Upon further review, the electronic administration record (EMAR) was observed unsigned for the controlled substance. (photo evidence)
Interview on 6/24/2025 at 1:55 PM, Staff B, Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) revealed the protocol for signing the narcotic log, Staff B, LPN stated: I administered the medication at 1:19 PM and forgot to sign. I am supposed to sign at the time I remove the medication from the bingo card.
On 6/24/2025 at 1:58 PM, a medication storage check was completed on the east side medication cart #2 with Staff C, LPN, the Medication Monitoring / Control Record was observed signed, no date written, time written but the EMAR was observed signed at 8:40 AM. At 2:00 PM a second Medication Monitoring / Control Record was observed signed, no date written, no time written, amount written, amount written, amount written, amount correct, and the EMAR was signed for that medication at 9:40 AM. (photo evidence)
On 6/24/2025 at 2:01 PM, during the continued medication storage check with Staff C, LPN a Bingo card of controlled substances was observed with a broken seal and tape reinforcing it. (photo evidence)
Interview on 6/24/2025 at 2:01 PM, Staff C, LPN revealed: I didn't have my pen so I couldn't sign the sheet. Sometimes when the pharmacy sends the medication and the bingo card needs to be reinforced so the pill doesn't fall out. Someone placed a tape to help. The correct procedure is to call the pharmacy to resend the medication.
On 6/24/2025 at 3:30 PM, the Director of Nursing stated: Nurses are to verify the physicians' order, verify in the narcotic book, pop out the narcotic, sign his or her name with time date amount at the time it is taken out of the bingo card. The narcotic should always be reconciled and signed out. If there is any tear or abnormality in the bingo card it should be sent back to pharmacy.
Record review of a Policy titled 4.0 Schedule II Controlled Substance Medication (undated) revealed POLICY: This policy is to ensure adherence to state and federal laws relating to the dispensing of Schedule II controlled substance medications. In a non-emergency situation, Schedule Il controlled medications will NOT be dispensed without a written. or electronic prescription. In an emergency and when allowed by federal and state regulations and in compliance with the required documented follow-up procedure, Specialty RX, Inc. pharmacies WILL dispense Schedule Il controlled medications upon an oral authorization but to a 72-hour supply. To dispense Schedule III-V controlled medications, an oral, written, or electronic prescription is required. A pharmacist may not dispense more than a 30-day supply of a controlled substance listed in Schedule Ill upon an oral prescription issued in this state.
H. Dispensing of Controlled Dangerous Substance 5. When a CDS medication is administered, in addition to following proper procedure for the charting of medications, the nurse must document on the declining inventory sheet the date of administration, the quantity administered, the amount of medication remaining and his/her initials