Department of Pharmacy Policies & Procedures
Number: 5:19
Effective Date: October, 1984
Revisions: 4/93; 10/08
Reviewed: 11/09
Approval: April 20, 1993
Subject: OUTPATIENT PRESCRIPTIONS DISPENSED BY INPATIENT PHARMACY
A. POLICY
The hospital pharmacy may fill and dispense outpatient prescriptions under specific circumstances and to specific patients. All outpatient prescriptions will be filled in the dispensing area of the hospital pharmacy and will conform to procedures. Specific policies on who may have prescriptions filled are stated in Policies 5:20, 5:21, and 5:22 of this manual.
B. PROCEDURE
1. The prescription is received by a pharmacist.
2. A review of the prescription is made to make sure that the drug is available and in the strength and quantity written. If it is not available the patient will be informed immediately. In the case of a discharge or emergency room prescription the nurse is informed so that the doctor can prescribe an alternative if that is feasible.
3. The prescription is entered into the pharmacy computer system with all required patient and physician demographic information. The computer will automatically assign a number to the prescription differentiating between controlled and non-controlled substances and further separating Schedule II drugs.
4. The drug is counted out and placed into a child resistant container.
5. The label which is generated by the computer is checked for accuracy. This label will contain the following information:
a. Name, address and phone number of the pharmacy
b. Date and the pharmacy's serial identification number for the prescription.
c. Patient's full name.
d. Directions to the patient for use.
e. Name of the drug, strength and number of units
f. Name of the prescriber
g. No Refill limitation must be listed.
6. The computer label and appropriate precautionary labels are affixed to the container.
7. The pharmacist filling the prescription must sign it.
8. If the prescription is for a controlled substance the CII-Safe paperwork generated when removing the drug is placed on the narcotic technician desk.
9. The prescription is filed. Prescriptions for Controlled Substances are stamped with a "C" before filing. There is a file for regular prescription drugs, one for Schedule II and another for Schedules III, IV and V.
10. The prescription is dispensed to the patient or the nurse. The pharmacist will counsel the patient about the drug if necessary.
C. QUANTITY LIMITATIONS AND PRICING
1. The Sections on Discharge Prescriptions, Emergency Room Prescriptions and Employee Prescriptions contain the special instructions on quantity restrictions and the pricing structure for each type.
2. Partial filling of Schedule III, IV and V drug is permissible. The time limit prescribed in DEA regulations will apply. The pharmacist may need to limit the quantities of Scheduled Drugs in accordance with the supply available in the cabinet and the expected need for inpatient use.