Recording schedule II drug use in a decentralized drug distribution system

A decentralized system for Schedule II controlled substance distribution and accounting that does not rely on proof-of-use sheets is described. Controlled substances are kept in a vault in the central pharmacy; technicians assigned to work in the controlled substances vault are responsible for monitoring, ordering, and storing these medications. The narcotic vault technicians also prepare narcotic boxes that are used by technicians in patient-care areas to transport and issue Schedule Ii substances to nursing units. Twice during each morning and evening shift, technicians in patient-care areas visit each nursing station, replenish the unit's stock of Schedule II medications, and document on a narcotic use form all doses that have been administered since the last technician visit. Nurses leave small cards preprinted with patients' names and room information in the narcotic drawers to alert technicians to administered doses of Schedule II substances; the technicians are responsible for reconciling medications missing from the drawers with doses recorded in patients' medication administration records as being administered. Periodic audits are performed to ensure that actual inventories and the recorded information are correct. The decentralized system for distribution and accounting of Schedule II substances has been successful in increasing the flexibility of inventories on individual nursing units and ensuring maximal pharmacy department control over the dispensation of these medications.