Seeking Minnesota Hospital Pharmacist's Input - Central Pharmacy Barcode Scanning

[kwakster928]

One of the customer that we work with in Minnesota told me that there will be a regulation imposed by the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy that every item picked in the central pharmacy must be scanned on picking.

Is there any truth in the above statement or is it an over-interpretation of an existing rule?

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[lord999]

One of the customer that we work with in Minnesota told me that there will be a regulation imposed by the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy that every item picked in the central pharmacy must be scanned on picking.

Is there any truth in the above statement or is it an over-interpretation of an existing rule?

Documentation of existing rule actually (overinterpretation of the rule in your hospital's case), but the how is up to Allina, CHS, Fairview, Mayo, and everyone else to deal with. MRS basically says that all items that leave a pharmacy's direct control have to be documented as verified by a pharmacist. In the cases where there is one pharmacist, that's simple. In the cases where there is more than one pharmacist, either someone must sign off on the fill or it's the operations PIC's problem. But no, there's plenty of "Greater Minnesota" hospitals (Fergus Falls being one of them) that don't have the fancy, schmancy equipment to deal with scanning, but they are still required to have a policy and procedure in place for how pharmaceuticals are distributed and administered (separate topics) throughout the hospital.

The following is rumor, I don't know this firsthand. There's major inventory shrinkage in the Allina system that needs to be curbed. It's probably your operations director getting a bit more fussy about the matter with respect to inventory shrinkage more than patient safety and considering how fast things spread in MnSHP...

 

[kwakster928]

Documentation of existing rule actually (overinterpretation of the rule in your hospital's case), but the how is up to Allina, CHS, Fairview, Mayo, and everyone else to deal with. MRS basically says that all items that leave a pharmacy's direct control have to be documented as verified by a pharmacist. In the cases where there is one pharmacist, that's simple. In the cases where there is more than one pharmacist, either someone must sign off on the fill or it's the operations PIC's problem. But no, there's plenty of "Greater Minnesota" hospitals (Fergus Falls being one of them) that don't have the fancy, schmancy equipment to deal with scanning, but they are still required to have a policy and procedure in place for how pharmaceuticals are distributed and administered (separate topics) throughout the hospital.

The following is rumor, I don't know this firsthand. There's major inventory shrinkage in the Allina system that needs to be curbed. It's probably your operations director getting a bit more fussy about the matter with respect to inventory shrinkage more than patient safety and considering how fast things spread in MnSHP...

Thank you for this. Can you possibly direct me to the rule where I can find the exact wording?

 

[lord999]

6800 7800. Hasn't changed since Holmstroms time. No requirement on method.

 

[kwakster928]

6800 7800. Hasn't changed since Holmstroms time. No requirement on method.

6800.7800 deals with pharmaceutical service space.

Do you think it is an over interpretation of the

6800 3100 Subp. 3a.

Accountability.
For prescriptions filled in a pharmacy, the unique identifier of each pharmacist, pharmacist-intern, or pharmacy technician who performs any portion of the prescription filling process must be documented, with the documentation maintained for a minimum of two years. The documentation must indicate which portion of the prescription filling process each pharmacist, pharmacist-intern, or pharmacy technician completed. For prescriptions filled by a practitioner, the unique identifier of each practitioner and each individual who assists the practitioner according to part 6800.9952 must be documented and the documentation maintained for a minimum of two years. This subpart does not waive the requirement for an individual pharmacist, practitioner, or pharmacist-intern to certify a filled prescription drug order according to subpart 3.

 

[lord999]

6800.7800 deals with pharmaceutical service space.

Do you think it is an over interpretation of the

6800 3100 Subp. 3a.

Accountability.
For prescriptions filled in a pharmacy, the unique identifier of each pharmacist, pharmacist-intern, or pharmacy technician who performs any portion of the prescription filling process must be documented, with the documentation maintained for a minimum of two years. The documentation must indicate which portion of the prescription filling process each pharmacist, pharmacist-intern, or pharmacy technician completed. For prescriptions filled by a practitioner, the unique identifier of each practitioner and each individual who assists the practitioner according to part 6800.9952 must be documented and the documentation maintained for a minimum of two years. This subpart does not waive the requirement for an individual pharmacist, practitioner, or pharmacist-intern to certify a filled prescription drug order according to subpart 3.

That'd work too, although I'm thinking of:

6700 7250


supplying of prepackaged legend drugs which are accessible for use without entering either the pharmacy or drug room maintained for use when a pharmacist is not available. Such supply may be located in nursing units, with access limited to designated registered nurses. No hospital pharmacy shall utilize a floor stock drug distribution system of this or any other type as its primary system of drug delivery;

6800.7700 DRUG HANDLING AND STORAGE.
At least the following provisions for the safe handling and secure storing of drugs shall be observed. Storage areas shall be safeguarded by an effective security system, with the pharmacist responsible for maintaining security. Drugs shall be protected from contamination. Drugs shall be stored at temperatures recommended by the U.S.P./N.F. or by the individual drug label or package insert.

and

7800
Subp. 2.
Nursing service units.
When drugs are stored on nursing service units space shall be available at each unit for the storage, safeguarding, and preparation of medication doses, and shall include provision of at least the following:

§
A.
A well-illuminated, locked drug cabinet or room shall be equipped with clearly labeled cubicles to ensure physical separation of individual patient prescribed medications. Medications may be stored in secured individual patient storage areas or secured portable storage carts providing separate compartments for individual patients.


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Because hospitals are one of the few areas where non-dispensed legend drug stock can be outside of pharmacy's direct control.

VA tries to keep things similar to the state they reside in for local policies when possible so when we have contractors come in, they don't screw up the place. I don't think even if MN passed that as a rule, that we'd enforce it as that's unrealistic. That said, we DO have cart check rules and Pyxis check as well as the of-course stuff for direct-to-patient dispenses and QC for admixtures. Then again, this is the same board that got into a pissing contest with Mayo over a stupid variance matter that ended up with half the slate changed. God, I miss Dave Holmstrom.