N.J. Admin. Code § 8:43G-18.6

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 8, April 15, 2024

Section 8:43G-18.6 - Nursing care services related to pharmaceutical services

(a) All medications administered by nursing personnel shall be administered in accordance with prescriber orders, medical staff policy, and all Federal and State laws and regulations.

(b) Medications for individual patients shall not be removed from their original prescription containers by nursing personnel until the time of drug administration.

(c) Drugs packaged in unit dose containers shall not be removed from the containers by nursing personnel until the time of drug administration. Such drugs shall be administered immediately after the dose has been removed from the container, and by the individual who prepared the dose for administration.

(d) Each patient shall be identified prior to drug administration.

(e) Drugs dispensed for one patient shall not be administered to another patient.

(f) If the facility permits self-administration of drugs, nursing personnel shall implement policies and procedures approved by the pharmacy and therapeutics committee regarding self-administration of drugs.

(g) Nursing personnel shall report drug errors and adverse drug reactions immediately to the nurse in charge of the unit and to the prescriber. By the end of the shift, an entry shall be made in the patient's medical record. The incident shall be reported in accordance with policies and procedures concerning quality assurance and risk management. The incident shall be reported to the pharmacy, in accordance with policies and procedures approved by the pharmacy and therapeutics committee, within 24 hours.

(h) Drugs in patient care areas shall be maintained under proper conditions, as indicated by the United States Pharmacopoeia, product labeling, and/or package inserts.

(i) All drugs, needles, and syringes in patient care areas shall be kept in locked storage areas, except those drugs exempted by the pharmacy and therapeutics committee or equivalent under specified conditions. Drugs for external use shall be kept separate from drugs for internal use.

(j) Nursing personnel shall return drugs to the pharmacy for disposal in accordance with 8:43G-23.6(i).

(k) Nursing personnel shall store, use, and dispose of needles and syringes in accordance with all applicable Federal and State laws and rules, including those specified at N.J.A.C. 8:43G-14.12(b).

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:43G-18.6

New Rule, R.1992 d.72, effective 2/18/1992.
See: 23 New Jersey Register 2590(a), 24 New Jersey Register 590(a).