Wasting controlled substances

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Specializes in Cardiac, ER, Hospice.

Hi all,

What is the most current guideline for wasting unused controlled substances after a patient's death? Is this documented in the COP's or anywhere else?

Thanks

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Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.

There may be pharmacy laws or similar in your state or region...so ask your pharmacist for the legals.

The standard is to mix meds in used coffee grounds, kitty litter with liquid, or similar...closed in a bag or other sealed container and disposed of in normal trash. I know many hospice nurses who carried the very inexpensive clay kitty in their trunks for this purpose. I know at least one of them was hopeful that the clay provided a bit of "natural" filtration of the "comfort cocktail" that is the result of our mass disposal.

Medications should never go into the drain by sink or toilet.

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Specializes in ER, Cardiac, Hospice, Hyperbaric, Float.

Why are you not supposed to waste in the sink or toilet? Just curious, because the instructions I have been given where I work (a place with multiple problems, so I won't be surprised ifI have been misinformed) is to waste everything in the toilet. :confused:

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Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.

They quickly get into the water table, little changed...

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Specializes in Pulmonary, Cardiac.

here in las vegas there is no state regulation on how to dispose of the meds, so we have to go by federal guidelines. HPNA's website has guideline for disposal of drugs..our nurse practice act says all medications become part of the patients estate at the time of their death, but my company wants us to dispose of the narcotics.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice, Home Health.

I use a chux, diaper, or similar, pour meds liquid tabs everything on the diaper, then in the home usually there are used coffee grounds, etc.....(you can even open the bedside bag if patient had a foley, and dissolve all meds).....then toss in general trash.....never never never remove from the home......

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Specializes in med surg, renal, hospice.

I carry a soft drink plastic bottle in my car always, mix all the meds in the bottle, add PineSol or some such cleaning solution or coffee grounds and place in the trash. Except for fentanyl patches which we have to cut up and flush. Word to the wise...never mix with bleach..can be dangerous.

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