Tag: prescription drugs

Medical Board, Uncategorized

State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy Implements Infection Control Procedures in Face of Corona Virus

Updated 3/19/2020

The State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy issued new requirements to implement safeguards to allow pharmacy professionals employed by a terminal distributor to practice pharmacy in a safe and effective manner.

The Ohio Pharmacy Board issued the following (emphasis added):

Section 4729.55 of the Revised Code requires a pharmacy to implement adequate safeguards that allow pharmacy professionals employed by a terminal distributor to practice pharmacy in a safe and effective manner. This includes implementing safeguards to protect pharmacy professionals (pharmacists, interns, technician, and support personnel) and patients during a public health emergency.

To comply with the requirements of section 4729.55 of Revised Code, the Board has determined the following steps shall be implemented by all pharmacies located in Ohio starting no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2020 to ensure the practice of pharmacy can be conducted in a safe and effective manner:

  • For pharmacies open to the public, consider developing a process for older adults (60+), pregnant women, and individuals with chronic health conditions to pick up medications without waiting in line (i.e. post signs directing to drive-thru, offer curb-side delivery, mail delivery, senior hours, etc.).
  • Implement infection control procedures, especially for waiting areas, to include the following:
  • Pharmacies with workspaces that currently allow patients to get closer than the minimum recommended distance of 3 feet should post signage or utilize other methods to ensure patients who are waiting are maintained at a safe distance. NOTE: This does not apply to patients who must interact with pharmacy staff (i.e. for purposes of payment, immunizations, etc.) or pharmacies that are not open to the public.
  • Pharmacists and pharmacy interns shall no longer be permitted to administer immunizations or other injections without standard protective measures, which includes gloves and proper hand hygiene (i.e. routinely washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds). Standard protective measures do not include the use of masks or gowns.
  • Pharmacists and pharmacy interns shall not administer any immunizations or other injections to patients displaying or reporting symptoms of respiratory illness, including any of the following:
    • Fever (NOTE: This does not require mandatory temperature checks);
    • Cough; or
    • Shortness of breath.
  • Pharmacy professionals who are older adults, pregnant women, or individuals with chronic health conditions shall not be prohibited from wearing appropriate PPE to operate within a pharmacy.
  • Regularly clean and disinfect counters, credit/debit card devices, waiting areas, and other spaces where public interaction occurs with an EPA-approved disinfectant. Clean at least every hour or after every 10 patients, whichever is more frequent. If cleaning and disinfecting products are in short supply, the Ohio Department of Health has developed the following guidance. Read here.
  • If available, place alcohol-based hand sanitizer next to the checkout window so people can sanitize their hands after using common items, like the pen used to sign for prescriptions or devices used to process credit/debit card transactions. REMINDER: Manual signatures from patients are not required by Board of Pharmacy rule (see Important COVID-19 Reminders section of this guidance document for more information).
  • Provide regular breaks for staff to engage in proper hand hygiene (i.e. routinely washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds). 
  • Monitor pharmacy staff for symptoms of respiratory illness, including any of the following:
    • Fever (NOTE: This does not require mandatory temperature checks. However, the Ohio Department of Health recommends pharmacies take staff temperatures once per shift);
    • Cough; or
    • Shortness of breath.

Staff exhibiting or reporting any of these symptoms must be sent home.

Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in this document may result in administrative discipline for the pharmacy and the pharmacy’s responsible person.

As always, if you have any questions concerning this post, contact Todd Collis or Beth Collis.

Uncategorized

Ohio Medical Board’s One Bite Rule

Physicians who believe they need to seek medical treatment for drug or alcohol abuse are often concerned about the ramifications they may suffer by the State Medical Board of Ohio if it is determined that they do need treatment. They commonly want to know, “will the treatment be confidential?” or “will the treatment facility or their colleagues and employer who may know of their impairment be required to report them to the Medical Board?”

Physicians who believe they may need treatment should seek an assessment immediately. Your health is the most important consideration.   However, in seeking an assessment for suspected chemical dependency or substance abuse, it is important to submit to an evaluation at one of the State Medical Board of Ohio approved facilities. A list of the facilities approved by the Medical Board can be found at: http://www.med.ohio.gov/pdf/treatment_compliance/TREATMNT.pdf

It is imperative that you seek an evaluation and follow the treatment recommendation of the Medical Board approved treatment facility. Seeking an assessment or treatment at a non-Medical Board approved facility will NOT be accepted by the Medical Board and you will be required to repeat the treatment.  However, if you voluntarily seek treatment and follow the recommendations of an approved treatment facility, you may be able to avail yourself to the Medical Board’s ONE BITE policy.

What is One-Bite?   The One Bite rule allows impaired licensees who seek and complete treatment and aftercare at a Medical Board approved treatment provider to remain in the private sector for monitoring, as long as their acts did not result in a criminal conviction or put patients or others at risk of harm:

Within One Bite:

  • Alcohol only
  • Illegal drug use
  • Taking drugs from sources that did not involve patients
  • Issuing prescriptions for one’s own use in one’s own name

Outside of One Bite:

  • Criminal conviction related to use or abuse of a controlled substance at or near the time the Board is determining if they meet the requirements for One Bite
  • Treatment in lieu
  • Relapse
  • Failure to complete appropriate treatment and aftercare with a Board approved provider
  • Criminal acts that involve the use of another’s name or involve patient’s name
  • Compromised patient care
  • Out of state action

If the Board becomes involved by investigator contact with the licensee or the Board orders the licensee for an assessment the individual no longer qualifies for One Bite.  One Bite is basically ONE chance to voluntarily seek treatment for substance abuse without having to submit to monitoring by the Medical Board.

Are hospitals and colleagues required to report the suspected impaired physician to the Medical Board? Under Ohio R.C. 4731.224 (http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/4731.224) and O.A.C. 4731-15-01 (http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/4731-15-01) licensees and health care facilities are relieved of the obligation to report the impaired physician to the Medical Board IF the individual has sought treatment at a Medical Board approved facility.

As always, if you have further questions, feel free contact me at beth@collislaw.com or at 614-486-3909.