MEDICATION STORAGE AND DISPENSING SYSTEM
medication cart |
medication cabinet |
Narcotics must be placed
behind two locked doors. A lockable medication cabinet behind a locked closed
room this task easily. The cabinets are relatively small and easily
mount on a wall or a door.
3. Medication room: Usually medication
cart is placed in medication room when not in use. A medication room may aIso
be a central location for stock the medication, controlled medicines, and
emergency medicines.
4. Computerized medication access system: This system
automates the distribution, management and control of medication. It is similar
to an ATM. The nurse use a password to access the system and withdraw the
medication.
STORAGE OF MEDICATION:
Nurses responsibility:
·
To store the medication each ward should be provided with a
medicine cabinet.
·
As far as possible, the cabinet should be kept locked in a
separate room adjacent to the nurses room.
·
Adequate lighting should be provided with in the cabinet.
·
A washing sink should be provided in that room for hand washing.
·
There should be different compartment for different category of
drugs.
·
Drugs used for external uses should be separate from drugs for
internal use.
·
Containers should be kept alphabetically.
·
Controlled drugs should be kept in a separate cupboard which must
have separate lock and key.
·
A senior nurse should be responsible for controlled medication in
the cupboard.
·
A register should be maintained for the controlled drugs.
·
A daily inventory should be taken to prevent theft of narcotics.
·
No drugs should be stored without labels, even for a day.
·
All the containers must have labels written neatly and legibly.
·
Label should contain name of the drug, the ingredients, strength
and dose.
·
All medicine containers should kept close always.
·
Drugs that are unusual in colour, odour, and consistency should be
returned to pharmacy and replace with fresh ones.
·
Check the expiry date every time before use.
·
The drugs which are destroyed in room temperature like vaccines,
should be kept in refrigerator.
·
Emergency drugs should be placed where they are readily available.
·
When intending for drugs, intend only the required quantity.
·
The new supply of medicines should be signed by the ward sister.
·
The medication cabinet should be kept locked always.
·
Oily drugs should be kept in a separate tray or on a piece of
water proof paper to prevent soiling of the cupboard.
·
All medicines should be checked and signed as they are received
from the pharmacy. The medicine cabinet should always be kept neat
and clean and all equipment should be kept clean and dry after their use.
·
The medicine cabinet should always be kept locked and the key
should be kept where only doctors and nurses have access to it.
·
Keep a record for each controlled drug administered. Information
generally required includes
·
The name of the client receiving the controlled substance,
·
The date and hour the medication was given,
·
The amount of controlled medication used,
·
The name, of the physician prescribing the controlled substance,
·
The name of the nurse administering the controlled substance,
·
Count the controlled medications at specified timings (each shift,
and before taking out from the container for administration),
·
If all or part of the medication is discarded a second nurse must
witness the discarding and countersign the control record.