N.J. Admin. Code § 10:51-3.4

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 11, June 3, 2024

Section 10:51-3.4 - Responsibilities

(a) The consultant pharmacist shall in cooperation and consultation with the nursing facility staff:

1. Assure that all drugs are dispensed, and in cooperation with the director of nursing, "shall assure all drugs" are administered in compliance with all Federal and State laws;

2. Establish and monitor the implementation of written policies and procedures, through the pharmaceutical services committee (pharmacy and therapeutics committee), to assure the safe use, storage, integrity, administration, control and accountability of drugs;

3. Assure that drug records are in order and an account of all controlled substances is maintained and reconciled;

4. Assure that the beneficiary's medication records are accurate, up to date, and that these records indicate that medications are administered in accordance with physicians' orders and established stop-order policies;

5. Assure that drugs, biologicals, laboratory tests, special dietary requirements and foods, used or administered concomitantly with other medication to the same beneficiary, are monitored for potential adverse reactions, allergies, rationality, drug evaluation, and laboratory test modifications, and that the physician is advised promptly of any recommended changes;

6. Assure that drugs prescribed for nursing facility beneficiaries are properly administered based on drug utilization standards common to the pharmacy profession, which may include, but not be limited to:

i. Drug interactions;

ii. Maximum/minimum daily dosage alerts;

iii. Therapeutic duplication;

iv. Drug age conflicts;

v. Days supply alerts;

vi. Drug-disease precautions; and

vii. Drug-pregnancy precautions, if applicable;

7. Review the drug regimen (for example, dosage form, route of administration, time of administration) of each beneficiary at least monthly and report any irregularities pertaining to medications to the attending physician, medical director, or director of nursing, as appropriate.

i. Irregularities in the administration of medications shall be reported promptly to the director of nursing.

8. Report in writing at least quarterly to the pharmaceutical services committee (pharmacy and therapeutic committee) on the status of the facility's pharmaceutical services and staff performance as related to pharmaceutical services. This report shall include, but not be limited to, a summary of the review of each beneficiary's drug regimen and clinical record and the consultant pharmacist's findings and recommendations;

9. Assure there is maintained and available upon request from the Director of the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services or his or her designee, documented records of the disposition, disposal or destruction of unused or discontinued drugs;

10. Serve as an active member of the pharmaceutical services committee (pharmacy and therapeutics committee) and infection control committee of the facility;

11. Provide, and document, in-service programs for the complete nursing staff. This training shall include, but not be limited to, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, aides, and shall be given at least quarterly; and

12. Devote a sufficient number of hours to carry out these responsibilities and maintain a written record of activities, findings, and recommendations.

N.J. Admin. Code § 10:51-3.4

Amended by 48 N.J.R. 2785(a), effective 12/19/2016