Controlled Substances

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txmedic07

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Need some clarification on controlled substance reporting and how stored. Looking primarily for focus on Texas and federal laws, but others are welcome. Trying to get a solid answer on what controlled substances (schedules) must be locked up and follow strict reporting guideline. Thanks
 
From what I understand, and how we do it at my agency, controlled substances are double locked. Truck is locked, and the narcs are in a safe that ONLY the Paramedic on the truck has access too. We also have ativan in a cooler which is accessed by a key that ONLY the Paramedic on the truck has.

In the station, we have a store room with an electronic lock, and the narcs are inside a safe in the room. The safe is opened by 2 employees entering their own keycode. Both have to be entered so not just one person can access the drugs whenever.

Whenever a narc is used, it's written on a specific sheet that's kept with the drugs and changed out when full. Every time a drug is used, replenished, or a crew change happens, the sheet is signed by two people.



As for the federal / Texas laws regarding it... no clue.
 
Thanks for the quick reply and information. I would like to know which drugs are required to be behind two locks and reporting requirements. I believe this only covers schedule I and II controlled substances, which for EMS is practically just morphine and fentanyl. Although I know most EMS agencies even double lock and report schedule III - V drugs. Based on what other common controlled substances carried in EMS: valium, versed, and ativan, which are all schedule IV controlled substances.
 
txmedic07 said:
Thanks for the quick reply and information. I would like to know which drugs are required to be behind two locks and reporting requirements. I believe this only covers schedule I and II controlled substances, which for EMS is practically just morphine and fentanyl. Although I know most EMS agencies even double lock and report schedule III - V drugs. Based on what other common controlled substances carried in EMS: valium, versed, and ativan, which are all schedule IV controlled substances.
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It's easier just to control access to all scheduled drugs and document everything the same way. Signout, administer, waste or return. Just be consistent across the board.
 
All schedule II-V medications must be stored in a "securely locked, substantially constructed cabinet".

The reporting requirements actually changed back in '08 for Texas. Bi-annual reporting is now required and both the Medical Director and EMS administrator now share the responsibility for inventory, security, and dispersing of the controlled substances. I have the .pdf file for the new changes at home. Let me get to my computer and I'll PM them to you.
 
txmedic07 said:
Thanks for the quick reply and information. I would like to know which drugs are required to be behind two locks and reporting requirements. I believe this only covers schedule I and II controlled substances,
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I sincerely hope that schedule 1 drugs aren't stocked on your ambulance, double locked or not.
 
JPINFV said:
I sincerely hope that schedule 1 drugs aren't stocked on your ambulance, double locked or not.
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I was thinking the same thing :unsure:
 
Flight-LP said:
The reporting requirements actually changed back in '08 for Texas. Bi-annual reporting is now required and both the Medical Director and EMS administrator now share the responsibility for inventory, security, and dispersing of the controlled substances. I have the .pdf file for the new changes at home. Let me get to my computer and I'll PM them to you.
Click to expand...

More importantly, the DEA already holds the medical director responsible for a service's controlled substance controls.
 
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