HospitalInspections.org

Based upon observations made during the environmental tour on 01/04/10 and 01/06/10 and staff interview, the hospital failed to ensure outdated drugs were not available for patient use as evidenced by expired drugs found on the emergency department crash cart and in the CT Scan drug cart. Findings:

During the environmental tour of the emergency department on 01/04/10, 10:45 AM, inspection of the crash cart revealed three vials of Metoprolol Tartrate milligrams/5 cubic centimeters had expired in 09/09. Inspection of the drug cart in the CT Scan area revealed the following expired medications: 1) 24 vials of 0.9% normal saline (30 milliliters) expired 07/09, 2) 25 ampules of Epinephrine 1:1000, expired 12/09, 3) 3 Atropine 1 milligram Bristojets expired 9/09, 4) 3 Epinephrine 1:10,000 Bristojets expired 7/09, 5) 2 bags of 0.9% normal saline Intravenous, 1000 cubic centimeters, expired 01/01/10.

Interview with emergency department Registered Nurse S18 on 01/04/10, 11:10 AM, revealed the pharmacist reviews all emergency department medications for expiration dates; however, there failed to be evidence the pharmacist identified the Metoprolol located in the crash cart had expired. During an interview with Radiology Technician S3 on 01/06/10 revealed he was responsible for the medications located in the CT Scan area but was not aware there were expired medications located in the drug cart of the CT Scan area. S3 further stated he did not know if the pharmacist even knew there were medications in the CT Scan area.