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Based on review of policies, observations during tours, and interviews with staff, the hospital staff failed to prevent expired supplies from being available for patient use on 2 of 2 inpatient units toured.

The findings include:

Review on 07/18/2017 of policy titled "Purchasing and Inventory Control: Physical Inventory," dated May 1, 2016 revealed "...14.21: Central Supply, Obsolete, Excessive and Expired Inventory. Excessive, obsolete and expired inventory will be identified and managed on a timely basis. The DOP (Director of Purchasing) identifies obsolete, excessive or expired inventory, and segregates them from other supplies located in the storeroom....The DOP issues all expired items out of the system to the related expense account. The manager determines if the vendor accepts returns of expired items. Items are then either returned to vendor, or disposed if not accepted by vendor...."

Observation on 07/18/2017 at 1140 during tour of medication room on patient care floor #1 revealed five 20 gauge (size of needle) angiocath (needle for administering intravenous fluids) with expiration date of July 2012 (5 years past use date), two 18 gauge angiocaths with expiration date of June 2017 (30 days past use date), four 18 gauge angiocaths with expiration date of November 2014 (2 years 8 months past use date), thirty-one 20 gauge angiocath with expiration date of September 2016 (10 months past use date), two vacutainers (device used to collect blood) with expiration dates of November 2014 (2 years 8 months past use date) and September 2015 (1 year and 10 months past use date). Further observation of 2 one liter bottles of Osmolite 1.5 cal (type of liquid nutrition used for tube feedings) revealed expiration date of July 1, 2017 (17 days past use date).

Observation on 07/18/2017 at 1205 during tour of medication room on Patient care floor #2 revealed five 18 gauge angiocaths with expiration date of June 2017 (18 days past use date), seven 18 gauge angiocath with expiration date of July 2015 (2 years past use date), two 18 gauge angiocath with expiration date of November 2014 (2 years 8 months past use date), three 20 gauge angiocath with expiration date of April 2017 (3 months past use date), and Algidex Ag IV catheter sterile patch (dressing used to cover intravenous sites) with expiration date of November 2014 (2 years 8 months past use date).

Interview on 07/18/2017 at 1220 with AS #1 revealed all supplies were available for patient use.

Interview on 07/19/2017 at 0845 with AS #2 revealed the policy had not been followed."The last time stock was checked was end of June. We checked for par levels each day but we do not check for out of date supplies." Further interview revealed policy had not been followed.

NC00128223