My pharmacy doesn't follow DEA rules.

[rnwalking0909]

In the hospital where I work, the pharmacy is not open 24 hours. Which leaves the Supervisors to distribute medications, including narcotics, during the off hours of the pharmacy. There have been several incidents where they have not complied with DEA rules and left the Supervisor with an unlawful situation and then retaliated when the Supervisor complained. Some examples are: leaving fentanyl drips in an unlocked office on a desk, leaving controlled substances in a refrigerator with a "hardware store" lock and no documentation or requirement to count the controlled substances at any time. After complaints about the fentanyl drips they installed a "hardware store" lock on a laminate style cabinet for storage of such drips, this lock could easily be opened with a screw driver or the hinges could be removed off the doors. Has anyone else had experience with such disregard for regulations and if so, how was it handled? These violations have been going on for sometime and its just getting more dangerous. Thank you for time and consideration.

[june2009]

Have u talked to your director or administrator?

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

I am not sure if the DEA mandates the type of lock required to secure Narcotic meds. I have worked in any number of hospital's where narc fridges are locked with a hardware tipe padlock. Yes the hasp can be removed with a screw driver but one would have to have sufficient time and put forth effort that would most certainly be noticed by other staff. My current facility is an LTC and Narcs are kept in a box that looks like a fishing tackle box with a padlock. Protocol is to call and get an order from the physician and then call Pharmacy for an authorization number to open the box. Only RN's carry the keys to this box. As an added safeguard there is a colored Zip tied that indicates the box has been opened as well .

[rnwalking0909]

I believe the DEA does require that narcotics be locked in a metal cabinet and has to be locked under two locks. Institutions in which we work have the obligation to follow the rules and this also protects the staff. If someone has an addiction problem they can be very clever and determined its part of the disease. I don't think that innocent staff members career should be in jeopardy because an institution is apathetic to the rules. Usually, an incident has to occur for such institutions to take notice, by then you may have a lot of "splaining to do Lucy". A sad situation for innocent nurses.

[SierraBravo]

Nowhere does it state that narcotics must be secured with 2 locks:

Title 21 CFR - Part 1301 - Section 1301.72 Physical security controls for non-practitioners; narcotic treatment programs and compounders for narcotic treatment programs; storage areas

[brownbook]

As SierraBravo posted there are specific regulations per Title 21 CFR, and you can Google DEA hospital pharmacy narcotic regulations.

I understand your concerns but get all the facts from the federal, state, and local level, from DEA, title 21, etc., then go to the powers that be in your institution with official documentation and regulations in hand and calmly, rationally, work towards a solution IF there are any violations.