Illinois § 25

§ 25.

Proper procedures. (a) A home health agency, hospice, or authorized nursing employee of an agency or hospice may purchase, possess, or transport drugs listed in Section 20 of this Act in a sealed portable container only if the agency or hospice has established policies and procedures to ensure that: (1) the container is handled properly with respect to storage, transportation, and temperature stability; (2) a drug is removed from the container only on a health care professional's written or oral order; (3) the administration of any drug in the container is performed in accordance with a specific treatment protocol; and (4) the agency or hospice maintains a written signature record of the dates and times the container is in the possession of an authorized nursing employee. (b) An authorized nursing employee of an agency or hospice who administers a drug listed in Section 20 of this Act may administer the drug only in the patient's residence under a treating health care professional's orders in connection with the provision of emergency treatment or the adjustment of parenteral drug therapy. (c) When an authorized nursing employee of an agency or hospice administers a drug listed in Section 20 of this Act pursuant to a treating health care professional's oral order, the authorized nursing employee or the agency or hospice shall reduce the order to written form and send this written confirmation to the patient's treating health care professional by mail or facsimile transmission, not later than 24 hours after receipt of the order. (d) A pharmacist who dispenses a sealed portable container under Section 20 of this Act shall ensure that the container: (1) Is designed to allow access to the contents of the container only if a tamper-proof seal is broken. (2) Bears a label that lists the drugs in the container and provides notice of the container's expiration date, which is the earlier of: (A) the date that is 6 months after the date on which the container is dispensed; or (B) the earliest expiration date of any drug in the container. (e) A pharmacy that dispenses a sealed portable container under this Act shall provide written instructions and counsel the authorized nursing employee of a home health agency or hospice on the safe storage, transportation, and temperature stability of the contents of the sealed container. (Source: P.A. 94-638, eff. 8-22-05.)