Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 480 - RULES OF GEORGIA STATE BOARD OF PHARMACY › Chapter 480-17 - ISSUANCE OF INTRAVENOUS MAINTENANCE DRUGS TO REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL NURSES EMPLOYED OR CONTRACTED BY A HOME HEALTH AGENCY › Rule 480-17-.03 - Issuance of Sterile Drug IV Maintenance Kits by an Issuing Pharmacy

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
As set forth by this rule, pharmacies, hereafter known as
				Issuing Pharmacies, may issue sealed Sterile Drug IV Maintenance Kits (SDM
				Kits) to RNs who are employed or contracted by a HHA. The contents of such kits
				are strictly limited to the following IV maintenance drugs: sterile water,
				sterile saline, and diluted heparin. The manner of issuance of such SDM Kits is
				limited to procedures specified in written guidelines set forth by the Issuing
				Pharmacy and based on this rule. Pursuant to these guidelines, Home Health
				Agencies may authorize Registered Nurses employed or contracted by the Home
				Health Agency to carry and utilize such contingency kits for the purpose of IV
				maintenance for Home Health Agency patients. Nothing in this rule is to be
				interpreted to allow Home Health Agencies or registered professional nurses to
				independently possess dangerous drugs. Such SDM Kits and drugs contained
				therein, as described in this rule, will at all times be considered under the
				control of the Issuing Pharmacy described as follows:
(a) A written agreement, which has been
			 signed by a pharmacist on behalf of the Issuing Pharmacy and by the medical
			 director of the licensed Home Health Agency, will serve as a protocol, which
			 establishes at a minimum, but not limited to: the contents of the kits and the
			 manner in which sealed SDM kits will be issued, stored, handled, and restocked.
			 Prior to any such agreement becoming effective, it must first be signed and
			 dated by the medical director of the Home Health Agency and returned to the
			 Issuing Pharmacy. This protocol will include at a minimum:
1. The manner in which a pharmacy initially
			 labels and issues a SDM Kit;
2. The
			 manner in which a pharmacy will restock or issue a replacement SDM
			 Kit;
3. The manner in which sealed,
			 SDM Kits are stored and kept secure at a licensed Home Health Agency
			 (HHA);
4. The record keeping
			 required of and the manner in which a HHA may issue on a daily basis the
			 maximum number of SDM Kits necessary to authorized RNs. These issued kits may
			 be carried by an R.N only during the nurse's daily, patient care duties, and
			 such kits will be returned to the HHA after the completion of those
			 duties;
5. The record keeping
			 required of and the manner in which an authorized HHA RN may break the seal of
			 and open a SDM Kit to utilize its' contents as necessary to perform necessary
			 patient IV maintenance care duties. Such use requires the issuance of a
			 prescriber's order prior to any drug being utilized;
6. The manner in which an Issuing Pharmacy
			 will be notified within 72 hours of when such drug utilization occurs, with
			 such notification to include a copy of the physician's order bearing the name
			 of the prescriber, the name of the nurse administering the drug(s), the patient
			 name, the name of the drug, the dosage form and directions for use, along with
			 other pertinent information;
7.
			 Once the seal on a SDM Kit has been broken and the SDM Kit has been opened, the
			 kit shall be returned to the HHA. Upon being returned to the HHA, it cannot be
			 reused or reissued until it has been restocked and resealed by a pharmacist
			 from the Issuing Pharmacy.