II-I-14 Expired Medications and Disposable EMS Equipment 02/04/2019

Questions and Answers

Who is responsible for ensuring compliance with the policy regarding expired medications?

The Station Officer-in-Charge (OIC)

The ISB EMS Support Clerk

The ISB Warehouse Supervisor

All Station Captains (correct)

What must be done with medications that have an expiration date format of 'MM-YY'?

They can be used until the end of the year

They should be reported to a supervisor

They become active for another month

They expire on the last day of the month (correct)

How frequently will the ISB EMS Support Clerk replace medications?

Bi-weekly

Weekly (correct)

Daily

Monthly

What is the first step for handling 'non-controlled' expired medications?

Remove them from units and station inventories Signup and view all the answers

What should be done with empty IV solution bag(s) after they expire?

Puncture and drain fluids, then dispose in biohazard waste Signup and view all the answers

What action must be taken by the ISB Warehouse Supervisor regarding expired pharmaceuticals?

Contact the pharmaceutical buy-back vendor Signup and view all the answers

What happens to expired disposable non-medication medical equipment items?

They are removed and disposed of in biohazard waste Signup and view all the answers

What is one key responsibility of the Station Officer-in-Charge (OIC) regarding inventory?

Check expiration dates on medications monthly Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Medication and Equipment Expiration Policy

All expired medications, including IV fluids and disposable EMS equipment, must be removed from inventories in compliance with Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 64J.
Station Captains are responsible for ensuring adherence to this policy and its procedures.
The Station Officer-in-Charge (OIC) must check expiration dates of all medications and IV fluids at the end of each month.

Expiration Date Guidelines

Medications with expiration dates listed as only the month and year (e.g., 07-19) are considered expired on the last day of the specified month.
The Inventory and Supply Bureau (ISB) EMS Support Clerk will replace expired medications weekly.
When new medications are received, the ISB EMS Support Clerk will rotate stock to prioritize medications with the earliest expiration dates.

Handling Expired Medications

Non-controlled expired medications (e.g., syringes, vials, tablets) must be:
- Removed from units and inventories.
- Placed in a designated tray for ISB pick up.
- Returned to the ISB warehouse and stored in a centralized expired drug bin for disposal.
- Collected by the ISB Warehouse Supervisor for pharmaceutical buy-back vendor pickup.

Handling Expired IV Solutions

Expired IV solutions require:
- Removal from units and inventories.
- Puncturing and draining of fluids from IV bags.
- Disposal of emptied IV bags in the biohazard waste container at the station.

Handling Expired Disposable Medical Equipment

Expired disposable non-medication items must be:
- Removed from units and inventories and disposed of in the biohazard waste container.
- Needles/sharps disposed of in the biohazard sharps container.
- Biohazard Sharps Collector disposed of in the biohazard waste container.

Expired Controlled Substances

For expired controlled substances, contact an EMS Field Supervisor for proper exchange and replacement procedures.
Refer to the Medical Operations Manual (MOM), Procedure 37 for detailed guidelines on controlled substances.

Description

This quiz focuses on the compliance requirements for emergency medical services regarding the removal of expired medications and equipment as outlined in Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 64. Station Captains and Officers-in-Charge play a crucial role in ensuring adherence to these policies. Test your knowledge on the procedures and responsibilities related to medication expiration checks.