With medication storage and labeling being current items of focus on certification and accreditation surveys, are you prepared?

Most facilities are not and surveyors are taking notice.  Do you have the tools to educate and equip your staff with the reference materials needed for constant survey readiness?  According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), facilities should have systems in place to check for proper dating, labeling, storage, auditing, and disposition of all medications. This includes many different steps along the way, starting with ordering and receiving.  If you’re not checking to make sure the products you receive are in date, you should.  Additionally, you need to ensure that all medications are stored properly and a system exists to check expiration dating at least monthly.

What about medications with shortened expiration upon opening?  Does the expiration or Beyond Use Date (BUD) change once opened?  The answer is often yes, but it also tends to vary based on dosage form.  The same goes for medications that require refrigeration.  Do they need to be refrigerated before opening, after opening, or both?  Although the topic of expiration dating seems easy and straightforward, you can easily see how it can be confusing and lead to survey citations.  We have resources to help you excel during your next survey.  Contact us to find out how we can make it easy for you.