HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation and interview, it was determined that the hospital did not ensure that all medications found in the hospital crash carts were within the manufacturers' printed expiration dates.

Findings include:

1. On 5/1/17 at 1:25 PM, the emergency room crash cart was inspected and the following medications were found to be expired:

a. A 20 milliliter (mL) vial of Magnesium Sulfate with an expiration date of April 1, 2017;

b. A 10 mL vial of Calcium Gluconate with an expiration date of April of 2017;

c. Three 5 mL vials of Metoprolol Tartrate, two with an expiration date of November 1, 2016, and one with an expiration date of April 1, 2017;

d. A 1 mL vial of Heparin with an expiration date of April of 2017;

e. Three 2 mL vials of Verapamil Hydrochloride (HCl) with expiration dates of April 1, 2017;

f. Two 2 mL ampules of Lanoxin with expiration dates of February of 2017;

g. Two 1mL syringes of Atropine Sulfate with expiration dates of November of 2016;

h. A 2 mL vial of Procainamide Hydrochloride with expiration dates of January 1, 2017;

i. Two 1mL syringes of Calcium Chloride with expiration dates of April 2017;

j. Two 10 mL syringes of Sodium Bicarbonate with expiration dates of April 1, 2017.

On 5/1/17 at 1:52 PM, the operating room crash cart was inspected and the following medications were found to be expired:

a. A 10 mL vial of Calcium Gluconate with an expiration date of April of 2017;

b. Three 2 mL vials of Verapamil Hydrochloride (HCl) with expiration dates of April 1, 2017;

c. Two 2 mL ampules of Lanoxin with expiration dates of February of 2017;

d. Two 1mL syringes of Calcium Chloride with expiration dates of April 2017;

e. Two 10 mL syringes of Sodium Bicarbonate with expiration dates of April 1, 2017.

On 5/1/17 immediately following the inspection of the crash carts, the facility Pharmacist was interviewed. The Pharmacist confirmed all of the medications listed above were expired. The Pharmacist further stated the hospital only had two crash carts, one in the emergency room and one for the operating room.