Finding Description
Based on observation and interview, the facility failed to ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility were stored in accordance with current accepted professional principles. This deficient practice has the potential to affect all 72 residents residing in the facility. The facility failed to:
1.
Ensure expired medications were not available for administration to residents in 1 (Med Room B) of 2 (Med Room A and Med Room B) medication rooms.
2.
Ensure controlled substances were properly stored in a permanently affixed compartment and had restricted access until destroyed appropriately.
Findings:
Review of a facility policy on 07/01/2025 at 9:50 a.m. titled, Controlled Substances revised on 12/2012 revealed the following in part .The facility shall comply with laws, regulations, and other requirements related to handling, storage, disposal, and documentation of schedule II and other controlled substances.
Review of a facility policy on 07/01/2025 at 9:50 a.m. titled, Storage of Medications revised on 04/2007 revealed the following in part .the facility shall store all drugs and biologicals in a safe, secure, and orderly manner.
Review of a facility policy on 07/01/2025 at 9:50 a.m. titled, Discarding and Destroying Medications revised on 10/2014 revealed the following in part . Medications will be disposed of in accordance with federal, state and local regulations governing management of non-hazardous pharmaceuticals, hazardous waste and controlled substances. 1. All unused controlled substances shall be retained in a securely locked area with restricted access until disposed of.
1.
On 07/01/2025 at 8:20 a.m., an observation of Med Room B was conducted accompanied by S4 LPN and revealed the following items in the medication room for use:
1. One opened and used tube of Hydrocortisone cream with an expiration date of 04/15/2025.
2. One opened and used tube of Clobetasol Propionate 0.05% cream with an expiration date of 04/22/2025.
At the time of observation, S4 LPN confirmed both creams were expired and should have been disposed of properly, but were not.
In an interview on 07/01/2025 at 8:35 a.m., S2 DON confirmed that Med Room B should not have any expired medications available for usage.
2.
Observation on 07/01/2025 at 11:08 a.m. of the facility's narcotic destruction locked box, accompanied by S10 ADON, revealed the box was located on a shelf in S10 ADON's shared office. Interview with S10 ADON at the time of observation confirmed that the locked box was not permanently affixed to any surface. S10 ADON was observed unlocking the narcotic box which revealed the box contained multiple medication cards and bottles of controlled substances. S10 ADON confirmed the narcotics destruction locked box did have controlled medication inside, was not permanently affixed to any surface, and that two other employees had access to the shared office space where the box was stored. S10 ADON revealed she was responsible for the controlled substance destruction process, which included storing, handling, documentation, and destroying of narcotics.
1.
Ensure expired medications were not available for administration to residents in 1 (Med Room B) of 2 (Med Room A and Med Room B) medication rooms.
2.
Ensure controlled substances were properly stored in a permanently affixed compartment and had restricted access until destroyed appropriately.
Findings:
Review of a facility policy on 07/01/2025 at 9:50 a.m. titled, Controlled Substances revised on 12/2012 revealed the following in part .The facility shall comply with laws, regulations, and other requirements related to handling, storage, disposal, and documentation of schedule II and other controlled substances.
Review of a facility policy on 07/01/2025 at 9:50 a.m. titled, Storage of Medications revised on 04/2007 revealed the following in part .the facility shall store all drugs and biologicals in a safe, secure, and orderly manner.
Review of a facility policy on 07/01/2025 at 9:50 a.m. titled, Discarding and Destroying Medications revised on 10/2014 revealed the following in part . Medications will be disposed of in accordance with federal, state and local regulations governing management of non-hazardous pharmaceuticals, hazardous waste and controlled substances. 1. All unused controlled substances shall be retained in a securely locked area with restricted access until disposed of.
1.
On 07/01/2025 at 8:20 a.m., an observation of Med Room B was conducted accompanied by S4 LPN and revealed the following items in the medication room for use:
1. One opened and used tube of Hydrocortisone cream with an expiration date of 04/15/2025.
2. One opened and used tube of Clobetasol Propionate 0.05% cream with an expiration date of 04/22/2025.
At the time of observation, S4 LPN confirmed both creams were expired and should have been disposed of properly, but were not.
In an interview on 07/01/2025 at 8:35 a.m., S2 DON confirmed that Med Room B should not have any expired medications available for usage.
2.
Observation on 07/01/2025 at 11:08 a.m. of the facility's narcotic destruction locked box, accompanied by S10 ADON, revealed the box was located on a shelf in S10 ADON's shared office. Interview with S10 ADON at the time of observation confirmed that the locked box was not permanently affixed to any surface. S10 ADON was observed unlocking the narcotic box which revealed the box contained multiple medication cards and bottles of controlled substances. S10 ADON confirmed the narcotics destruction locked box did have controlled medication inside, was not permanently affixed to any surface, and that two other employees had access to the shared office space where the box was stored. S10 ADON revealed she was responsible for the controlled substance destruction process, which included storing, handling, documentation, and destroying of narcotics.