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  • 1.  Controlled Substance Waste workflow

    Posted 06-01-2022 15:36
    Edited by Tash (Natasha) Rounds 06-03-2022 10:07
    Hi All,
    Can you please share the workflow or requirements that your organizations have in place for wasting controlled substances in the clinic environment:
    Specifically:
    1. Do you require two licensed staff to document waste?
    2. Can one of those clinical staff be an MA if the other is an RN or provider?
    3. If you have no Pyxis (remote locations), does your workflow differ?
    4. Do you document the waste in EMR and on a paper record if not using pyxis (or equivalent)?

    Looking at the clinics that are more remotely situated. We currently have in our policy that an MA-C can be the 2nd licensed worker to count and witness waste in those areas?
    Are there any organizations that do not require a 2nd person to witness the waste of controlled substances? I feel that a two person's sign off for waste of controlled substances is the norm, even in remote clinics, but I would like to hear from other areas in similar situations :)

    I appreciate any input from this amazing connected organization :)
    Thank you,

    Tash

    ------------------------------
    Tash Rounds, MSN Ed, RN, AMB-BC
    Clinical Nurse Educator -Ambulatory
    Skagit Regional Health
    Mount Vernon, WA
    Office: 360-814-6743
    NRounds@skagitregionalhealth.org
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  • 2.  RE: Controlled Substance Waste workflow

    Posted 06-02-2022 18:14
    Here are the answers to your questions for my Primary Care Clinic:
    1. It does require 2 licensed staff members to document waste
    2. It has to be two clinical licensed staff.  They both must be RN, ARNP, PA, DO, or MD
    3. We do not have a pyxis, so we waste into a controlled substance breakdown bin
    4. It requires 2 paper documents be done and both signed by staff

    Hope my answers help.

    ------------------------------
    Amanda Pearce, RN-BSN
    Clinic RN
    Swedish Medical Group
    Renton WA
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  • 3.  RE: Controlled Substance Waste workflow

    Posted 06-02-2022 19:49
    Hi Amanda,
    Thank you so much for replying :) Every comment always helps!
    Tash

    ------------------------------
    Tash Rounds, MSN Ed, RN, AMB-BC
    Clinical Nurse Educator -Ambulatory
    Skagit Regional Health
    Mount Vernon, WA
    Office: 360-814-6743
    NRounds@skagitregionalhealth.org
    ------------------------------