Conn. Agencies Regs. § 17a-210-5 - Storage and disposal of medications in residential facilities, respite centers and day programs

(a) All medications, except for controlled medications, shall be kept in a locked container, cabinet or closet used exclusively for the purpose of storage of medications. Medications for internal use shall be stored separately from substances that are for external administration. All controlled medications shall be stored in accordance with section 21a-262-9 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. Each residential facility, respite center and day program shall have counting procedures in place to ensure the correct disposition of controlled medications.

(b) Medications requiring refrigeration shall be stored separately from food. If a separate, locked refrigerator is not available, these medications may be placed in a locked container in the same refrigerator in which food is stored. The temperature of the refrigerator shall be maintained between 36-46 degrees Fahrenheit.

(c) Access to medications shall be limited to persons authorized to administer medications. Each residential facility, respite center and day program in which certified non-licensed personnel may administer medication shall maintain a copy of each person's current certificate to administer medications at each site where such administration occurs.

(d) Medications for consumers who are permitted to self-administer medication in accordance with subsection (ee) of section 17a-210-1 and section 17a-210-4 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies shall be stored in such a way as to make them inaccessible to other consumers. Such medications shall be stored in a locked container or locked area unless the supervising nurse makes a determination that unlocked storage of the medication poses no threat to the health or safety of the consumer or other consumers.

(e) All medications shall be stored in labeled containers from a pharmacy.

(f) Unused, outdated or unlabeled non-controlled medications shall be destroyed in a non-recoverable manner by licensed or certified non-licensed personnel in the presence of at least one (1) witness. Non-controlled medication destruction shall be documented by program or facility staff in the records maintained by the program or the residential facility.

(g) In community-based residential facilities, unused, outdated or unlabeled controlled medications shall be destroyed in a non-recoverable manner by licensed personnel in the presence of at least one (1) witness. In non-community-based residential facilities, the Department of Consumer Protection shall be notified in order to destroy in a non-recoverable manner unused, outdated or unlabeled controlled medications. The destruction of controlled medications shall be recorded on the appropriate documentation forms and on the receipt and disposition forms by program or facility staff in the records maintained by the residential facility.

(h) Trained non-licensed personnel shall not dispose of any medications.

(i) Licensed personnel, certified non-licensed personnel and trained non-licensed personnel shall follow applicable state and federal statutes and regulations regarding the handling and administration of controlled medications.

Notes

Conn. Agencies Regs. § 17a-210-5

Effective May 31, 1996; Amended December 3, 2009