Complaint Investigation Report

It was alleged that staff is mishandling residents’ medication and staff is not administering residents’ medication as prescribed. It was reported that there have been medication errors due to facility staff administering wrong dosages and medications not administered as prescribed. A review of clients’ medications and the Centrally Stored Medication and Destruction Records (CSMDR) revealed that medications are properly documented. Staff interviews revealed that while they assist clients with their medications, the clients themselves are responsible for dispensing the medications from the packaging. Staff also added that no clients have reported concerns or experienced any issues related to receiving the wrong medication or dosage. Similarly, client interviews confirmed that they have not encountered any problems with medication administration by staff and expressed no concerns since moving into the facility. Based on the information obtained and reviewed during the course of the investigation, the Department has insufficient evidence to support the allegations of “staff is m mishandling residents’ medication” and “staff is not administering residents’ medications as prescribed”. Therefore, these allegations are deemed Unsubstantiated at this time.

It was alleged that staff did not properly store medication. It was reported that medications are not being properly stored and locked up. During the facility walkthrough, the LPA observed that the medication cart was located inside the Administrator’s office. Although the office was unlocked at the time due to the Administrator's presence, the medication cart itself was locked and inaccessible to clients. Facility staff confirmed that the medication cart remains locked at all times, except during active medication administration. Staff also reported that the Administrator’s office is kept locked whenever the Administrator is not present, unless medications are being administered. Based on observations and interviews, the Department has insufficient evidence to support the allegation of “staff did not properly store medication”. Therefore, this allegation is deemed Unsubstantiated at this time.