Best Practice Narcotic Control in Assisted Living Settings

By Heidi LaMeyer, RN, LALD - Regional Director of Assisted Living - MN  

Assisted living facilities provide care for elderly or disabled individuals who may require assistance with activities of daily living. One of the most critical aspects of care in these facilities is narcotic control. Narcotics are prescription medications that have a high potential for abuse and addiction and can cause serious harm if misused or mishandled. In this blog post, we will discuss best practice approaches to narcotic control in assisted living settings, including strategies to prevent diversion of these medications. 

Shift to Shift Counts 

One of the best practice approaches to narcotic control in assisted living settings is shift-to-shift counts. At the beginning and end of each shift, staff members should conduct counts of narcotics to ensure accuracy and accountability. Any discrepancies should be immediately reported and investigated. This approach ensures that the facility is aware of the total number of narcotics in their possession at any given time and can help prevent diversion by ensuring that all medications are accounted for. 

Double Signatures and Witness on Administration 

Another best practice approach to narcotic control is double signatures and witness on administration. Whenever possible, narcotics should be administered by two authorized staff members who sign off on the medication administration. This approach ensures that there is a second person to verify that the medication is being given to the correct resident and in the correct dosage. It also helps to prevent diversion by ensuring that the medication is not being misused or diverted by a single staff member. In addition, having a witness present during administration can help to further reduce the risk of diversion. 

Bound Narcotic Logbooks 

Bound narcotic logbooks are another best practice approach to narcotic control in assisted living settings. Staff members should keep a record of all narcotics dispensed, including the resident's name, medication name, dose, and date and time of administration. These logs should be signed by both staff members and witnessed, if possible, to confirm the medication administration. This approach provides a clear record of all medication dispensing and ensures that the facility can track and monitor the use of narcotics. 

Double Lock Storage 

Narcotics should be stored in a secure location accessible only to authorized staff members. One of the best practice approaches to narcotic control in assisted living settings is to use double lock storage. This means that the storage area should have two locks to ensure additional security. Access should be granted only by key or code. 

In conclusion, narcotic control in assisted living settings is essential for the safety and well-being of residents. Best practice approaches to narcotic control include shift to shift counts, double signatures and witness on administration whenever possible, bound narcotic logbooks, and double lock storage. These strategies can help to prevent diversion of narcotics and ensure that residents receive the care they need. It is important to train staff members on these best practice approaches and ensure that they are following them consistently to minimize the risk of diversion.