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Arkansas Ambulance Association
Beginning Tuesday, August 19, 2014 the Section of EMS will begin unannounced inspections of ALL licensed ambulance services with regards to Drug Control Policies & Procedures. The inspections will include a complete and thorough review to include, but is not limited to, policies, procedures, inventory control, drug administration, clinical care, documentation, and training records. This review may reach back as much as five (5) years. The service Medical Director, who assumes full responsibility for pharmaceutical use and control by the ambulance service, should be informed of these actions. The following are general procedural steps as outlined by the Section today:
1. Conduct a focused review and inspection of the service’s Drug Control Policies & Procedures and the service’s EMS Protocols.
2. Gather documentation to support compliance with the policies and procedures (copies of documents may be requested and are authorized by the EMS Rules and Regulations)
3. No findings will be determined at the time of the review. Following the visit, the Section of EMS will issue a written findings letter to the ambulance service official (owner, CEO, etc.) and to the service’s Medical Director.
4. Upon the determination of any policy or procedure violations, the Medical Director will have ten (10) business days in which to respond to the findings.
NOTE: In the event that egregious violations of the law are discovered, the Section of EMS is obligated to notify the Pharmacy Services and Drug Control Section as well as the DEA of its concerns. Additional follow-up by these agencies may reasonably be expected.
HOW TO PREPARE
All providers are strongly encouraged to review the documents provided by the Section of EMS immediately. Providers are also encouraged to conduct a self-assessment of all drug policies and procedures immediately. Records pertaining to drug administration and control should be readily accessible and available for inspection. Providers should reach out to their Medical Director and discuss the Medical Director’s roles and responsibilities on behalf of the EMS agency. Attached are several reference documents that you should share with your Medical Director.
The Arkansas Ambulance Association appreciates the cooperative relationship and offer to work with the Section of EMS in addressing this matter. Should you have any questions concerning drug control policies and procedures, please direct them directly to the Section of EMS. As the ArAA receives further information and guidance from the Department of Health, we will pass it along to you.
1. Conduct a focused review and inspection of the service’s Drug Control Policies & Procedures and the service’s EMS Protocols.
2. Gather documentation to support compliance with the policies and procedures (copies of documents may be requested and are authorized by the EMS Rules and Regulations)
3. No findings will be determined at the time of the review. Following the visit, the Section of EMS will issue a written findings letter to the ambulance service official (owner, CEO, etc.) and to the service’s Medical Director.
4. Upon the determination of any policy or procedure violations, the Medical Director will have ten (10) business days in which to respond to the findings.
NOTE: In the event that egregious violations of the law are discovered, the Section of EMS is obligated to notify the Pharmacy Services and Drug Control Section as well as the DEA of its concerns. Additional follow-up by these agencies may reasonably be expected.
HOW TO PREPARE
All providers are strongly encouraged to review the documents provided by the Section of EMS immediately. Providers are also encouraged to conduct a self-assessment of all drug policies and procedures immediately. Records pertaining to drug administration and control should be readily accessible and available for inspection. Providers should reach out to their Medical Director and discuss the Medical Director’s roles and responsibilities on behalf of the EMS agency. Attached are several reference documents that you should share with your Medical Director.
The Arkansas Ambulance Association appreciates the cooperative relationship and offer to work with the Section of EMS in addressing this matter. Should you have any questions concerning drug control policies and procedures, please direct them directly to the Section of EMS. As the ArAA receives further information and guidance from the Department of Health, we will pass it along to you.