Alabama Administrative Code
Title 420 - ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF HEALTH
Chapter 420-2-1 - EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Section 420-2-1-.23 - Controlled Substance Plan

(1) Each emergency medical provider service carrying controlled substances shall submit a Controlled Substance Plan (CSP) to the OEMS at the time of licensure and renewal. If a provider service does not plan to carry controlled substances, this shall be noted in the service's I.V. Fluid and Drug Plan. Any modification to the plan shall be submitted to the OEMS for approval.

(2) Each CSP shall include the following items: a method of ownership, security, how initial stock is obtained, restocking procedures, internal orientation for new employees, on-going internal training for employees, drug testing for employees, quality assurance and quality improvement program, tables to be used for accounting logs, and original signatures from the service medical control physician, the pharmacist from the medical direction hospital, and the Controlled Substance Oversight Coordinator (CSOC).

(3) All controlled substances shall be secured behind no less than two locks upon initial receipt. If a provider service stores a controlled substance at a central location, it shall be placed in a separate container with a lock, and inside a safe, cabinet, file cabinet, or similar device, which is secured to the wall and floor of the building. Controlled substances may be placed in a medication container, but shall be placed in a separate, locked container. Building or vehicle doors are not considered to be separate, locked containers. The only time it is permissible for an employee to maintain a personal key to a service provider's controlled substances containers is if that key is for a container specifically for that individual. Otherwise, controlled substance keys shall be exchanged at shift change.

(4) Prior to obtaining any controlled substances, all employees shall be given an in-service by the provider service's CSOC on the protocols for handling/securing controlled substances based on the CSP approved for the service by the OEMS.

(5) All ALS I and ALS I Critical Care emergency medical provider services shall have the option to stock controlled substances.

(6) Each licensed provider service shall immediately notify the OEMS upon identification of missing or suspected diversion of a controlled substance.