South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 61 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Subchapter 61-4 - Controlled Substances
Part 1900 - Handling and Administering Controlled Substances in Hospitals
Section 61-4.1900.1916 - Storage of Controlled Substances
Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 9, September 27, 2024
All controlled substances shall be kept in a locked, secure place. Large reserve stocks should be kept in a strong safe, substantial enough to deter entry and heavy enough to prevent being carried away. Other valuable property may be kept in the safe provided adequate security of the controlled substances contained therein is maintained. See also §§401 through 406, inclusive.
(a) Nursing station controlled drug box: Responsibility: Only a very limited number of persons should possess the key to the controlled substances on the nursing station. When such person(s) are relieved from duty, the person(s) taking charge should count and transfer the controlled substances in the presence of the person(s) being relieved, and all controlled substances should be accounted for. The responsibility rests with the person(s) assigned to possession of the key on each shift. The administrator shall be responsible for control of these keys. This responsibility may be delegated to the Director of Nursing. Written documentation of accountability of controlled substances (i.e., shift change nurses' signatures) shall be stored in a readily retrievable manner and maintained for a period of not less than two years, after which they may be destroyed.
(b) Responsibility of drug room: In those hospitals not maintaining a pharmacy under the supervision of a registered pharmacist, the drug room shall be restricted to the Director of Nurses, a designated assistant, or a designated registered nurse, not more than one of whom shall be in possession of the key to the drug room at the same time. The nurse in possession of the key to the drug room shall be responsible for all transactions in the drug room on his or her respective shift. (Observance of (a) and (b) does not relieve the Administrator of his or her responsibilities.)
