NAC449.6117. Possession, distribution, administration and storage of drugs and controlled substances.

     1. An obstetric center shall ensure that drugs and controlled substances are possessed, distributed and administered by members of the medical staff in the obstetric center in conformance with all applicable federal, state and local laws.

     2. All drugs and controlled substances distributed at an obstetric center must be possessed and distributed by a licensed physician or a licensed advanced practice registered nurse in accordance with his or her registration from the State Board of Pharmacy and the Drug Enforcement Administration of the Department of Justice. The licensed physician or licensed advanced practice registered nurse shall establish and maintain a list of drugs and controlled substances which are available for use by the licensed physician or licensed advanced practice registered nurse for maternal patients and newborn babies in the obstetric center.

     3. An obstetric center shall establish a policy to ensure quality control and dispensing of drugs and controlled substances. The obstetric center must have a specific area for storing the drugs and controlled substances which include, without limitation, locked storage for drugs, double-locked storage for controlled substances and locked refrigerated storage. A facility for washing hands must be provided near the area in which the drugs and controlled substances are to be distributed.

     4. A drug or controlled substance may not be administered at an obstetric center without an order from a licensed physician or a licensed advanced practice registered nurse. An order for the administration of a drug or controlled substance must be entered into the medical record of the maternal patient and be signed by the physician or advanced practice registered nurse who made the order. The order must include the name of the drug, dosage, time or frequency of administration, and if other than oral, the route of administration.

     5. The obstetric center shall provide a separate refrigerator for the storage of drugs and controlled substances. The temperature in the refrigerator must be maintained between 36 degrees Fahrenheit, or 2 degrees Centigrade, and 46 degrees Fahrenheit, or 8 degrees Centigrade. The temperature of the room in which the drugs and controlled substances that are not refrigerated are stored must not exceed 86 degrees Fahrenheit, or 30 degrees Centigrade.

     (Added to NAC by Bd. of Health, eff. 7-19-96)