South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 61 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Subchapter 61-84 - Standards for Licensing Community Residential Care Facilities
Sec2 61-84.1200 - MEDICATION MANAGEMENT
Section 61-84.1200.1206 - Medication Storage (I)

Universal Citation: SC Code Regs 61-84.1200.1206

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 9, September 27, 2024

A. Medications shall be properly stored and safeguarded to prevent access by unauthorized persons. Expired or discontinued medications shall not be stored with current medications. Storage areas shall be locked, and of sufficient size for clean and orderly storage. Storage areas shall not be located near sources of heat, humidity, or other hazards that may negatively impact medication effectiveness or shelf life. Medications requiring refrigeration shall be stored in a refrigerator at the temperature established by the U.S. Pharmacopeia (36-46 degrees F.). Medications requiring refrigeration shall be kept in a secured refrigerator used exclusively for medications, or in a secured manner in which medications are separated from other items kept in a refrigerator (e.g. Lock Box). All refrigerators storing medications shall have accurate thermometers (within plus or minus 2 degrees).

B. Medications shall be stored:

1. Separately from poisonous 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 resident's medication.

C. A facility shall maintain records of receipt, administration and disposition of all controlled substances in sufficient detail to enable an accurate reconciliation including:

1. Separate control sheets on any controlled substances. This record shall contain the following information: date, time administered, name of resident, dose, signature of individual administering, name of physician or other legally authorized healthcare provider ordering the medication; and

2. At each shift change, a documented review of the control sheets by outgoing staff members with incoming staff members including verification by outgoing staff members indicating they have properly administered medications in accordance with orders by a physician or other authorized healthcare provider, and have documented the administrations. Errors/omissions indicated on the control sheets shall be addressed and corrective action taken at that time.

D. Unless the facility has a permitted pharmacy, legend medications shall not be stored except those specifically prescribed for individual residents. Nonlegend medications that can be obtained without a prescription may be retained and labeled as stock in the facility for administration as ordered by a physician or other authorized healthcare provider.

E. The medications prescribed for a resident shall be protected from use by any other individuals. For those residents who have been authorized by a physician or other authorized healthcare provider to self-administer medications, such medications may be kept on the resident's person, i.e., a pocketbook, pocket, or any other method that would enable the resident to control the items.

F. No medication shall be left in a resident's room unless the facility provides an individual cabinet/compartment which is kept locked in the room of each resident who has been authorized in writing to self-administer by a physician or other authorized healthcare provider. In lieu of a locked cabinet/ compartment, storage of medications shall be permitted in a resident room which can be locked, provided the room is licensed for one bed; medications are not accessible by unauthorized persons; the room is kept locked when the resident is not in the room; the medications are not controlled substances and all other requirements of this section are met.

G. During nighttime hours in resident rooms, only medications which a physician or other authorized healthcare provider has ordered in writing for emergency/immediate use, e.g., nitroglycerin or inhalers, may be kept unlocked in or upon a cabinet or bedside table, and only when the resident to whom that medication belongs is present in the room.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. South Carolina may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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