Accreditation

Medication storage and security

Accreditation Connection, January 25, 2008

Medication storage continues to be a hot button for Joint Commission surveys and a sticking point for organizations. Effective and safe medication storage involves many people working collaboratively. The medication management system is complex, starting with selection and procurement, storage, ordering and transcribing, preparing and dispensing, administration, and wasting. All of these steps involve ensuring medication security and appropriate delivery to the patient care units and, ultimately, to the patient.

All medications, including unit stock medications, need to be stored per the manufacturer's guidelines. The original regulations, published by CMS' Conditions of Participation, state, "drugs and biologicals shall be kept in a locked storage area" (42 CFR 462.25 (b)). In January 2007, the regulations were relaxed to state, "all drugs and biologicals must be kept in a secure area and locked when appropriate."

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