Download policy - Hertford County Public Health Authority

HERTFORD-GATES HOME HEALTH
SUBJECT: MEDICATION
PREPARATION
SECTION:
POLICY:
EFFECTIVE DATE:
REVISIED DATE:
PAGE 1 Of 1
PATIENT CARE
43
5/2004
POLICY
Agency staff will prepare patient’s medications safely.
PROCEDURE
1. Agency staff will not compound or admix sterile medications, intravenous
admixtures or other medications, in the patient’s home, except when it is not
feasible, e.g., in pre-filling insulin syringes or when the medication’s stability
is short.
2. If preparing chemotherapeutic medications for initial or ongoing
administration, staff will utilize appropriate protective equipment, e.g.,
chemotherapy gloves, gowns, masks, eye covers, containers, etc.
3. Staff will utilize appropriate techniques during medication administration to
avoid contamination including:
- Using clean or sterile techniques as appropriate.
- Maintaining a clean and uncluttered area to prepare the medication in
an effort to decrease contamination.
- Visually inspecting medications for integrity.
- Using appropriate techniques to ensure accuracy, e.g., comparing the
medication order with the medication container.