Effective Date of This Revision: January 9, 2009
Contact: Medical Director 310-679-9126, Administration
Applies to:
* Officers
* Other agents
* Staff
* Visitors
* Student clinicians
* Contractors
* Volunteers
* Subcontractors / Business Associates
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this document is to outline policy and procedures for administering medications in the Detoxification Units of BHS’s Chemical Dependency Recovery Hospitals.
POLICY:
Only persons lawfully authorized to do so by their respective practice, such as physicians, registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, or licensed psychiatric technicians shall administer medications. All medications administered will be documented on a Medication Administration Record.
PROCEDURES:
Medications shall be administered only after an order has been written by a person lawfully able to prescribe. All medications shall be administered as ordered.
Persons authorized to administer medications have the responsibility to question any order that is unclear, ambiguous, or seemingly inappropriate.
The patient shall be positively identified prior to each dose administered. Staff administering medications shall use the “5 Rights” to assure accuracy:
• The Right Patient
• The Right Medication
• The Right Time Given
• The Right Dose
• The Right Route
Each dose administered shall be recorded promptly on the patient’s administration record including the following:
• Name of medication
• Strength of medication
• Route of administration (an injection site, if parental route)
• Name of staff administering drug
• Date and time of administration
Staff administering medication must be aware of the actions, indications, normal dose, and side effects of medication they administer. Any deviations from normal reactions that are noticed after administration shall be reported immediately to the Medical Director or alternate physician on duty. Significant adverse drug reactions shall be reported on a medication Incident Report.
The Consultant Pharmacist shall review the drug regime of selected patients in accordance with facility policy.
Schedule II, III, and IV drugs of the Federal Controlled Substance Act (Title 11, Public Law 91- 513) shall be administered only by persons who are lawfully authorized by their respective practice act to administer those medications in accordance with Policy 4.5.14.9 on Controlled Medications.
