why is it important for a nursing home to maintain records on storage, administration, disposal of drugs?

Answer 1

To make sure people aren't stealing a controlled substance.

Answer 2

"Controlled substances" are called that because there are laws which govern how they can be handled and disbursed.

There are also standards for managing all records associated with controlled substances. The reason for this is that the government can come in and audit the procedures and make sure the nursing home is following the laws. Think of it like an IRS audit and why we need to keep so many financial documents.

The records are also maintained for some other reasons. Such as

- Minimizing Theft
- Accountability (they know who has done what)
- Inventory
- Misc. legal reasons (people love to sue doctors, this helps them protect themselves, as long as they follow procedures properly)
- Epidemiology (statistics on what drugs are being used)

Answer 3

Storage:
~To ensure drugs are stored correctly ( some may needed to be kept cold, some out of direct light etc. etc.) Otherwise their efficacy can be affected.
~To ensure that no drugs which have expired are used. This would be unsafe and possible harmful.
~ Make sure that look like or sound alike drugs are not stored next to each other to prevent misuse/mistakes

Administration:
~ To make sure that what is given ( not only the correct drug but the correct dosage, correct frequency, correct strength/concentration, correct method of administration IE: via IV, pill, liquid, crushed, inhaled etc.) is what was ordered.
~ To be able to track any adverse events like allergies, changes in mental or medical status etc etc that may be related to the drug or possible drug to drug ot drug to food etc. interactions

Disposal:
~ Well, nice to know where it all goes.......esp. controlled or narcotic meds. That's why it is required when there is "wasting" of meds IE. when we throw away unused drugs.

Essentially, it is done for patient safety.

Not because nurses lie or steal drugs as other answerers have said or hinted.

And it is not just nursing homes that are required to be this vigilant. All health care delivery sites and organizations are required to monitor drug administration, storage, disposal as well documentation, inventory, etc. etc. This includes hospitals, clinics, MD practices, home care agencies, pharmacies etc etc

Answer 4

Don't you think a nursing home might just be filling in the blanks so it looks good? The nurse forgets a medication, do you think she's going to say she forgot? Another nurse likes diet pills, do you think she reports the pills she takes? Whatever records are kept can be falsified so easily it's pointless.

Answer 5

we are looking after my mom now. i'm fortunate that I easily have my sister to help me. If i did not, i does not have a decision approximately admitting her. human beings answer this query too quickly and with too lots judgment. if your mothers and dads grow to be elderly and ill they could not be waiting to take their very own medicine, wash themselves, feed themselves, or make judgements. as a remember of certainty she had to be in a rehab nursing homestead for somewhat earlier she got here homestead. If the employees is prevalent with that the affected person has usual travellers then they provide the effect of being to handle the affected person a splash greater heavily and respectfully. usual visitation is the terrific case scenario in case you had to confess them for long term care. in case you tried to maintain them at homestead and that they overdosed on medicine, succumbed to an ailment, tripped and fell and broke a hip, or sat around pissy for an afternoon or 2 till you may get to them, it could be lots worse then admitting them to a nursing homestead.

Answer 6

all homes are inspected once a year. the care standards inspector will want to see all records relating to drugs.

Answer 7

If you can't figure out the answer to your own question sweetie, then you have some issues going on upstairs. Hey sorry! I call it like I read it!

Answer 8

cuz once in awhile a relative of the person might visit, might notice, or might complain

otherwise none

Answer 9

Its the law to do it