Medication and Treatment Cart Security and Disposal Deficiencies
Summary
The facility failed to secure medication and treatment carts, as well as properly dispose of medications, during observations conducted by surveyors. An unlocked and unattended treatment cart, identified as the Pineapple treatment cart, was observed next to the East Reception Desk containing several prescription medications. A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) acknowledged the cart was left unlocked and unattended, contrary to the facility's policy that requires all medications and biologicals to be securely stored in locked cabinets or carts. Additionally, an unsecured and unattended medication cart was found on the Oasis hallway during an environmental tour with the Administrator and Maintenance Tech, who immediately called for the nurse responsible. During a medication administration observation, a Registered Nurse (RN) left dispensed medications unattended on top of a medication cart while she walked across the hallway to use a wall sanitizer dispenser. The RN also improperly disposed of crushed medications by discarding them in the garbage container attached to the medication cart, instead of using the designated Drug Disposal bottle. These actions were not in compliance with the facility's policy for medication storage and disposal, which requires medications to be disposed of in a manner that ensures accurate reconciliation and security.
Plan Of Correction
The statement made on this Plan of Correction are not and do not constitute an agreement with the alleged deficiencies herein. To remain in compliance with all federal and state regulation the center has taken or will take the actions set forth in the following plan of correction. The following plan of correction constitutes the center's allegation of compliance such that all alleged deficiencies cited have been or will be corrected by the date indicated. Immediate Corrective Action: Carts were locked immediately. Re-education was provided to the licensed nurse assigned to east wing to ensure treatment and medication carts are kept locked and secure. Identification of other residents potentially affected: Current residents have the potential to be affected; no other resident was affected. Measures: On re-education initiated to licensed nurses by the Director of Nursing on proper storage of drugs and biologicals. Keeping treatment and medication carts locked and secured. In-service/training will be completed for newly hired licensed nurses. Monitoring: The Director of Nursing/nursing team will complete daily audits for 4 weeks and then weekly x two months to ensure proper storage of drugs and biologicals and keeping treatment and medication carts locked and secured. The Director of Nursing will report the findings to the Quality Assurance Performance Improvement Committee Monthly X 3 months or until the committee determines substantial compliance.
Penalty
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