Alabama Administrative Code
Title 420 - ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF HEALTH
Chapter 420-5-18 - SLEEP DISORDERS FACILITIES
Section 420-5-18-.08 - Storage, Preparation And Handling Of Drugs And Medicines

(1) Administering Drugs and Medicines. Drugs and medicines shall not be administered to individual patients nor to anyone within or outside the facility unless ordered by a physician duly licensed to prescribe drugs. Such order shall be in writing and signed personally by the physician who prescribes the drug or medicine.

(2) Medicine Storage. Medicines, drugs and biologicals maintained in the sleep disorders facility for administration shall be properly stored and safeguarded in enclosures of sufficient size and which are not accessible to unauthorized persons. Only authorized personnel shall have access to storage enclosures. Any controlled substances and ethyl alcohol maintained on the premises shall be stored under double locks and in accordance with applicable State and Federal laws.

(3) Controlled Substances Permit. If controlled substances are maintained in the sleep disorders facility for patient use, appropriate permits shall be obtained or maintenance and usage shall be under the controlled substances permit of the prescribing physician.

(4) Records. If controlled substances are maintained and used in the sleep disorder facility, records shall be maintained that account for all items and received and administered.

(5) Medication Orders. All oral or telephone orders for medication shall be received by a licensed nurse or a physician and shall be reduced to writing on the physician's order sheet with an indication as to the prescribing physician and who wrote the order. Telephone or oral orders shall be signed by the prescribing physician within 48 hours. Patients requiring prescription legend drugs outside of the facility shall be given "a written prescription where those drugs can be obtained from a licensed pharmacy, except in cases where the sleep disorders facility has a licensed pharmacy on the premises."

(6) Pharmacy. If the facility has a pharmacy, it shall meet the requirements of the Title 34, Chapter 23, Practice of Pharmacy Act 205, Code of Ala. 1975.

(7) Poisonous Substances. All poisonous substances must be plainly labeled and kept in a cabinet or closet separate from medicines and drugs to be prepared for administration.

(8) Emergency Kit or Emergency Drugs. Upon the advice and written approval of the facility's medical director, an emergency kit or an emergency supply of drugs or medicines may be maintained to be used by the physician in treating the emergency needs of the patients. Those medications shall be stored in such a manner as to limit its access to unauthorized personnel but in such a manner as to allow quick retrieval. Records or usage must be maintained and periodic inventories accomplished to prevent diversion.

(9) Drug Referenced Sources. Each sleep disorders facility shall maintain reference sources for identifying and describing drugs and medicines.

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