destroying meds

[Emmienme]

Most of my nursing experience has been in LTC/Skilled nursing where every so often ( when they would pile up ) expired meds were destroyed by popping them out of bubble pacs into large sharps containers kept behind locked doors. This is time consuming, hard on the thumbs and generally done on NOC shift. I now work in an ALF where they use plaster of paris?? to destroy meds.

Does anyone know, is this now the preferred method?, because a couple days ago I walked into the med room where there were about 8 plastic cups lined up on the counter filled with some god-awful lookin stuff that was foaming and different colors.... kinda scary..... just wondering.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Kitty litter (used)!or moist coffee grounds in home care

[BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN]

At my old position, we'd double count the leftovers (someone either was discharged, med change or died) and pharm won't take back narcs. We'd crush them, dump them in kitty litter and make a slurry with water then toss.

In my current per diem position, we have a cool box in the med room, a spot for liquids, one for solids and a spot for patches.

[BeenThere2012, ASN, RN]

Never heard of this. In hospitals Ive worked, there is a special container where small amounts of wasted meds go, and the pharmacy would come collect expired meds and they had their own method.

[BeenThere2012, ASN, RN]

Most of my nursing experience has been in LTC/Skilled nursing where every so often ( when they would pile up ) expired meds were destroyed by popping them out of bubble pacs into large sharps containers kept behind locked doors. This is time consuming, hard on the thumbs and generally done on NOC shift. I now work in an ALF where they use plaster of paris?? to destroy meds.

Does anyone know, is this now the preferred method?, because a couple days ago I walked into the med room where there were about 8 plastic cups lined up on the counter filled with some god-awful lookin stuff that was foaming and different colors.... kinda scary..... just wondering.

Tossed meds can also be considered hazardous waste. In my state, we are not allowed to waste into a sink or toilet as this may contaminate ground water. Mostly within a hospital where tons of meds are disposed on a regular basis....hospitals can be fined for "improper" disposal of hazardous waste.