Current through Rules and Regulations filed through March 20, 2024
The following regulations shall be followed in the absence of a
Pharmacist:
(a) General. When a
registered pharmacist is not physically present in the prison clinic pharmacy,
written policies and procedures shall be prepared in advance by the Director of
Pharmacy for the provision of drugs to the medical staff and other authorized
personnel of the prison clinic by use of night cabinets and/or by access to the
pharmacy.
(b) Night cabinets.
Access to drugs, in the absence of a licensed pharmacist, shall be by locked
cabinet(s) or other enclosure(s) constructed and located outside of the
pharmacy area to which only specifically authorized personnel as indicated by
written policies and procedures may obtain access by key or combination, and
which is sufficiently secure to deny access to unauthorized persons. The
Director of Pharmacy shall, in conjunction with the appropriate committee of
the prison clinic, develop inventory listings of those drugs to be included in
such cabinet(s) and shall insure that:
1. Such
drugs are available therein, properly labeled, with drug name, strength, lot
number and expiration date;
2. Only
prepackaged drugs are available therein, in amounts sufficient for immediate
therapeutic requirements;
3.
Whenever access to such cabinet(s) shall have been gained, written physician's
orders and proofs of use for controlled substances are provided;
4. All drugs therein are inventoried no less
than once per week. A system of accountability must exist for all drugs
contained therein; and,
5. Written
policies and procedures are established to implement the requirements of the
subsection.
(c) Access
to pharmacy. Whenever any drugs are not available from floor supplies of night
cabinets, and such drug is required to treat the immediate needs of a patient
whose health would otherwise be jeopardized, such drug may be obtained from the
pharmacy pursuant to the physician's order and the requirements of this
subsection. Only one designated, licensed medical staff member (R.N., L.P.N. or
Clinic Associate) in any given 8-hour shift may have access to the pharmacy and
may remove drugs from there. Such licensed medical personnel shall be
designated in writing by the Director of Pharmacy of the prison clinic and
shall, prior to being permitted to obtain access to the pharmacy, receive
thorough education and training in the proper methods of access, removal of
drugs, and records and procedures required. Such education and training shall
be given by the Director of Pharmacy, who shall require, at a minimum, the
following records and procedures:
1. Removal
of any drug from the pharmacy by an authorized medical staff member must be
recorded on a suitable form showing name of drug, strength, amount, date, time
and signature of the authorized medical staff member.
2. The container from which the drug is
removed shall be placed conspicuous location so as to be promptly reviewed and
inspected by a pharmacist coming on duty.
(d) Emergency kits/crash carts. Drugs may be
provided for use by authorized personnel by emergency kits, provided such kits
meet the following requirements:
1. Emergency
kit drugs defined. Emergency kit drugs are those drugs which may be required to
meet the immediate therapeutic needs of patients and which are not available
from any other authorized source in sufficient time to prevent risk or harm to
patients;
2. Drugs included. The
Director of Pharmacy and the medical staff of the prison clinic shall jointly
determine the drugs, by identity and quantity to be included in emergency
kits;
3. Storage. Emergency kits
shall be stored in limited access areas and sealed to prevent unauthorized
access, and to insure a proper environment for preservation of the drugs
contained.
4. Labeling--exterior.
The exterior of emergency kits shall be labeled so as to clearly and
unmistakably indicate that it is an emergency drug kit and is for use in
emergencies only. In addition, a listing of the drugs contained therein,
including name, strength, quantity, and expiration date of the contents shall
be attached. Nothing in this section shall prohibit another method of
accomplishing the intent of this section, provided such method is approved by
the Board and proper documentatoin of such approval is maintained;
5. Labeling--interior. All drugs contained in
emergency kits shall be labeled in accordance with such State and Federal Laws
and Regulations which pertain thereto; and shall also be labeled with such
other and further information as may be required by the medical staff of the
prison clinic to prevent misunderstanding or risk or harm to the
patients;
6. Removal of drugs.
Drugs shall be removed from emergency kits only pursuant to a valid physician's
order, by authorized medical personnel, or by a pharmacist of the institutional
facility;
7. Notification. Whenever
an emergency kit is opened, the pharmacy shall be notified; and the pharmacy
shall re-stock the kit within a reasonable time (no later than a Pharmacist's
next visit to institution) so as to prevent risk or harm to patients. In the
absence of a pharmacist, at least one emergency kit will be made available for
exchange. In the event the kit is opened in an unauthorized manner, the
pharmacy and other appropriate personnel of the facility shall be
notified;
8. Inspections. Each
emergency kit shall be opened and its contents inspected by the pharmacy at
least once every ninety (90) days. Upon completion of inspection, the emergency
kit shall be re-sealed.
9. Policies
and Procedures. The director of Pharmacy shall, in conjunction with the medical
staff of the prison clinic, develop and implement written policies and
procedures to insure compliance with the provisions of this
subsection.
(e)
Authoritative, current antidote information as well as the telephone number of
the regional poison control information center should also be readily available
in areas outside the pharmacy where emergency kits are stored.
O.C.G.A. Section 26-4-37,
26-4-27, 26-4-28, 26-4-110.
