S.C. Code Regs. § § 61-93.1200.1206

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

Section 61-93.1200.1206 - Medication Storage (I)

A. Medications may be stored in a separate locked box within a refrigerator at or near the Medication storage area, either behind a locked door or the refrigerator shall be locked.

B. Controlled Substances and ethyl alcohol shall be stored in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. A record of the stock and distribution of all Controlled Substances shall be maintained in such a manner that the disposition of any particular item may be readily traced.

C. Medications shall be stored:

1. Separately from poisonous Controlled Substances or body fluids;

2. In a manner which provides for separation between topical and oral Medications, and which provides for separation of each individual Patient's Medication.

D. Stock Medications

1. Unless the Facility has a permitted pharmacy, stocks of Legend Medications shall not be stored except those specifically prescribed for individual Patients.

2. Non-legend Medications may be retained and labeled as stock in the Facility for administration as ordered by a Physician or other Authorized Healthcare Provider.

3. Stocks of naloxone may be stored for emergency overdose crises, with or without specific prescription for individual Patients.

4. If stock non-Patient specific Controlled Substances are to be used, a Controlled Substances registration from the Department's Bureau of Drug Control and a Controlled Substances registration from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration shall be obtained. The registrations shall be displayed in a conspicuous location within the Facility.

E. No Medications may be left in a Patient's room unless the Facility provides an individual cabinet/compartment that is kept locked in the room of each Patient who has been authorized to Self-Administer in writing by a Physician, or other Authorized Healthcare Provider. In lieu of a locked cabinet or compartment, a room that can be locked and is licensed for a capacity of one (1) Patient is acceptable provided the Medications are not accessible by unauthorized persons, the room is kept locked when the Patient is not in the room, the Medications are not Controlled Substances, and all other requirements of this section are met.

F. The Medications prescribed for a Patient shall be protected from use by other Patients, visitors and Staff and Volunteers. 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, i.e., a pocketbook, pocket, or any other method that would enable the Patient to control the items.

G. During nighttime hours in semi-private rooms, only Medications that a Physician or other Authorized Healthcare Provider has ordered in writing for emergency/immediate use, e.g., nitroglycerin, rescue inhalers, or epinephrine auto-injectors may be kept unlocked in or upon a cabinet or bedside table, and only when the Patient to whom that Medication belongs is present in the Patient room.

S.C. Code Regs. § 61-93.1200.1206

Added by State Register Volume 44, Issue No. 06, eff. 6/26/2020.