Medication Storage

[CurlyRN, BSN, RN]

Good morning!

We are getting a remodel over the next two summers and I have been asked for feedback regarding our health office. Currently there is no privacy for our scheduled med kids and I want to change that. The other issue is the reason I am posting this question.

The space and drawers were designed before all the need for all the meds our students now take. We have 5 key latch-locked drawers, with Rx on the top in original bottles, the OTC in baggies in the following drawers with permission forms in the baggies and then the emergency meds in 6 unlocked bins above a sink, divided by last name.

I would like a wall unit in our side room where our diabetes kids test and dose, which would provide privacy. As it is right now, my school only contains 7th and 8th grade, but 6th will be joining in the next 2 years so we will need to accommodate those meds as well.

How do you all store your prescription and OTC meds? Is a wall unit the way to go? We joked that a cart similar to the ones used in assisted living would be nice but I would be afraid that someone would try to roll away with it! It would provide a place to set the water cup and med bottle. I would also like to get rid of the med keys and use a keypad or something.

This is week 3 for me in this role and I am learning so much!

[tining, BSN, RN]

With meds in so many drawers and areas, how will you get them all in case of an emergency?

I have all meds & med orders in my cart. Go bag hanging off side. This "med cart" cost $200, way cheaper than an official med cart.

[SchoolNurseK, BSN, RN]

This is what I use and I actually just ordered a second one to accommodate the number of meds we have. I like this system because it offers a work space for water cups, med bottles, MARs when you open it. It does have keys to open, but maybe the company offers a key pad alternative? I ordered directly through Datum and got a better price.

https://www.schooloutfitters.com/catalog/product_info?pfam_id=PFAM21236&products_id=PRO37982

[Eleven011]

I just got a new office this year, and I have meds in an actual wall cabinet like in a clinic, with a counter top underneath. They are lockable and right beside a sink with a cup dispenser.

[BrisketRN, BSN, RN]

I have all of my meds in one locked wall mounted cabinet. The cabinet is about 2ftx3ft with two shelves. I have two keys for it, one in my drawer and one on my lanyard. I separate meds into four Sterilite bins with lids. Epi Pens A-L, Epi Pens M-Z, Asthma meds, daily & PRN/miscellaneous meds. Both of my diabetic students have their own little kits made by their parents with extra supplies kept in the next cabinet over (for space reasons), obviously any meds in need of refrigeration are in my fridge. My diabetic students rarely use my office (both independent and use CGM and insulin pumps) but when they need to put on a new pod or if they need to administer insulin they'll go into my little room that has a cot and a table.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

20 hours ago, tining said:

With meds in so many drawers and areas, how will you get them all in case of an emergency?

I have all meds & med orders in my cart. Go bag hanging off side. This "med cart" cost $200, way cheaper than an official med cart.

I used to have three lockable cabinets (four shelves each, about 3 feet tall). Wasn't enough room. I have a similar rolling med cart now, minus the AWESOME stickers, and I am the envy of every dad who walks into my clinic!