Medication Storage & Medication Area Inspection Checklist - Sample Policy
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DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACY
MEDICATION STORAGE
I. Drug storage and preparation areas within the pharmacy and throughout the hospital are under the supervision of the Director of Pharmacy.
II. ALL MEDICATIONS ARE TO BE STORED IN STRICT COMPLIANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURERS DIRECTIONS FOR STORAGE AND/OR USP STANDARDS FOR STORAGE PRIOR TO USE.
III. Floor stock medications are to be housed in locked floorstock cabinets located in the Medication Rooms or are contained in the Acudose cabinets. Unused and unopened medications must be returned to the Automated Dispensing Machine or the pharmacy. Access to the medication rooms and the Automated Dispensing Machine are limited to authorized personnel only.
IV. Narcotic medication floor stock are to be housed in locked Narcotic drawers in the medication rooms or contained in the Automated Dispensing Machine. Unused and unopened medications must be returned to the Automated Dispensing Machine or the pharmacy. Access to the medication rooms and the Automated Dispensing Machine are limited to authorized personnel only.
V. Drug preparation areas are to be well lighted and are located where personnel preparing drugs for dispensing or administration will not be interrupted.
VI. Medications requiring refrigeration are to be stored in the medication refrigerators located in the medication rooms. No food is to be stored in the medication refrigerators. Each refrigerator is to be equipped with thermometer which should be periodically checked for appropriate temperature. Unused and unopened medications must be returned to the Automated Dispensing Machine or the pharmacy.
VII. Unit Dose Medications are locked in the Automated Dispensing Machine . Unused and unopened medications must be returned to the Automated Dispensing Machine or the pharmacy
VIII. Medications which require special storage such as Protect from Light or Do Not Refrigerate will be labeled, packaged and stored accordingly.
IX. Drug Storage requirements are as follows: Refrigeration: 36-46F, Freezer: 4-14F, Cool Place: 46-59F, Room Temperature: 59-86F.
X. The Director of Pharmacy or a qualified designee conducts at least monthly inspections of all nursing care units or other areas of the hospital where medications are dispensed, administered, or stored.
XI. A record of all such monthly inspections is maintained for a period of one year to verify that the requirements medication storage are met.
A. See MEDICATION AREA INSPECTIONS Check sheet.
MEDICATION AREA
INSPECTION CHECKLIST
UNIT: __________________________ DATE: _______________________
CHECK ONE IN EACH TASK:
YES
NO
N/A
TASK
Area kept clean and well organized
Antiseptics, poisons, and other drugs for external use stored separately from internal and injectable medications
All drugs with special storage requirements are stored properly according to the manufacturer’s recommendations
Security is maintained according to applicable laws and regulations
Drug preparation and storage areas are well lighted
Outdated and otherwise unusable drugs are identified and their use and distribution are prevented
Distribution and administration of controlled drugs are adequately documented in accordance with applicable law
Emergency drugs are in adequate supply in designated areas. Crash carts are sealed and labeled with a valid expiration date
The following are readily available: Hospital Formulary TPN Guidelines, telephone number of regional poison control center, antidote information (emergency dept.)
Automated Dispensing Machine cabinet inventory verification has been performed
Refrigerator temperature: ________________________
Investigational drugs are properly stored, distributed, and documented
SIGNATURE: ________________________________________________________
COMMENTS: