Hospice RN carrying medications in their car

[10 year nurse]

Are there any rules in the state of Georgia that state hospice RN's can or cannot carry scheduled narcotics in their personal vehicles? We are having differing opinions and I feel it is a huge liability for our staff to carry meds in their cars when we have the services of a delivering pharmacy.

[ErinS, BSN, RN]

I live in Utah, but not only do the nurses carry meds in the car, but we often have volunteers to deliver medications to patients, and carry the meds in their car. Because of this, we do not advertise our agency on our vehicles- no one knows the difference between my car and another. I keep the meds in the trunk where they can not be seen. It may be a liability, and certainly would make it easy for a nurse to divert meds (although we fill out paperwork to track meds), but it saves a lot of money and we have had no problems doing it this way.

[AtlantaRN, RN]

We can deliver, but never never never NEVER remove ANY controlled substances for ANY REASON......destroy them. In the past, my company has used a form for delivering meds, including controlled substances (for when you HAVE to pick up and deliver ekits and such). Get the family to sign that you delivered said meds and the quantity of such meds.

[Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN]

Our pharmacy delivers meds IF the order is faxed over by 1300, but they don't deliver on the w/e. I've had to deliver meds (narcs included) on a few occasions. I keep them in the trunk and deliver right away and also have the PCG count with me and sign for them.

[tewdles, RN]

It is always a good idea to check the pharmacy laws in your state...your pharmacist is likely conversant with the laws and can help you out.