• E-mail
• Print
• RSS

JCAHO releases three new medication FAQs

Pharmacy Regulation Resource, August 10, 2005

The JCAHO in early August published three new frequently asked questions (FAQs) about medication management after a nearly two-year absence of any clarifications on those standards.

The commission develops FAQs in response to multiple requests for clarifications of standards, elements of performance, or National Patient Safety Goals and requirements. The JCAHO cautions that advice given in the FAQs is not the only way to comply, but it does consider it an "authoritative clarification."

The three questions-and answers-include the following:

Q: What is considered "concentrated" in terms of potassium chloride? We have 100 ml bags of potassium chloride in strengths of 20 mEq and 40 mEq.

A: Strengths of 2 mEq/ml or greater-specifically, vials of 2 mEq/10 ml and 40 mEq/20 ml-are considered concentrated and must be kept out of patient-care areas. The bags noted in the question are not considered concentrated.

Q: Can medications be stored at the patient's bedside?

A: Yes, but only if the medication is stored under lock and key in a manner that allows only authorized staff and the patient to access it.

Q: How much detail must the annual review of drugs required under standard MM.2.10 include?

A: The review should determine whether any of the hospital's written criteria for additions or deletions still apply and whether a drug in question should remain on the hospital's formulary.

Visit the JCAHO Web site for these and other FAQs.

• E-mail to a Colleague
• Print
• RSS
• Archive