S.C. Code Regs. § ch. 61, 61-125, 61-125.1200, 61-125.1205

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 10, October 25, 2024

Subsection 61-125.1205 - Medication Storage (I)

A. Medications shall be stored and safeguarded in a locked medicine preparation room, cabinet or cart. Medications shall be monitored and attended at all times to prevent access by unauthorized individuals. Expired or discontinued medications shall not be stored with current medications. Storage areas shall not be located near sources of heat, humidity, or other hazards that may negatively impact medication effectiveness or shelf life.

B. Medications requiring refrigeration or freezing shall be stored in a locked refrigerator or freezer as appropriate at the temperature range established by the manufacturer used exclusively for that purpose. Food and drinks shall not be stored in the same refrigerator or freezer in which medications and biologicals are stored. Refrigerators and freezers shall be provided with a thermometer accurate to plus or minus two (2) degrees Fahrenheit.

C. Medications shall be stored:

1. In accordance with manufacturer's directions and in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations;

2. Separately from poisonous substances, such as cleaning and germicidal agents, or body fluids;

3. In a manner that provides for separation between topical and oral medications, and which provides for separation of each patient's medication; and

4. In medicine preparation rooms or cabinets that are well-lighted and of sufficient size to permit orderly storage and preparation of medications. Keys to the medicine preparation room, cabinet, refrigerator or medication cart at the staff work area shall be under the control of a designated licensed nurse.

D. Unless the facility has a permitted pharmacy, legend drugs shall not be stored in the facility except those specifically prescribed for individual patients. Non-legend drugs that can be obtained without a prescription may be retained and labeled as stock in the facility for administration as ordered by a physician or other authorized healthcare provider.

E. Prescribed and over-the-counter medications may be maintained at patient's bedside upon physician orders if kept in an individual cabinet or compartment that is locked, such as the drawer of the patient's night stand, in the room of each patient who has been authorized in writing to self-administer by a physician or other authorized healthcare provider, in accordance with facility policies and procedures.

F. Medications scheduled as Schedule II controlled substances pursuant to the federal or state Controlled Substances Act shall be stored in separately locked, permanently affixed, compartments within a locked medicine preparation room, cabinet, or medication cart, unless otherwise authorized by a change in the state or federal law pertaining to the unit dose or multidose system.

G. A facility shall maintain records of receipt, administration and disposition of all controlled substances in sufficient detail to enable an accurate reconciliation including:

1. Separate records for controlled substances shall be maintained and include the following information: date, time administered, name of patient, dose, signature of individual administering, name of physician or other authorized healthcare provider ordering the medication, and all scheduled controlled substances balances; and

2. At each shift change, there shall be a documented review of the controlled substance records by the incoming and outgoing nurses to verify an accurate reconciliation of the controlled substances.

H. The medications prescribed for a patient shall be protected from use by any other individuals. For those patients who have been authorized by a physician or other authorized healthcare provider to self-administer medications, such medications may be kept on the patient's person, such as, a pocketbook, pocket, or any other method that would enable the patient to control the items.

S.C. Code Regs. ch. 61, 61-125, 61-125.1200, 61-125.1205

Added by State Register Volume 43, Issue No. 05, eff. 5/24/2019.