HHC Health & Home Care Clinical Policy And

HHC HEALTH & HOME CARE Section: 8-15
Medications: Medication Disposal __RN
PURPOSE:
To instruct patient/caregiver on the proper disposal of
IV, oral and topical medications (including narcotics) at
the time of:
1. Discontinuation of medications as prescribed by
physician
2. Change in medications as prescribed by physician
3. Discharge from program
4. Death
5. Expired medications
CONSIDERATIONS:
1. Medications are intended only for the patient for
whom they were prescribed.
2. When in doubt concerning proper disposal of a
medication, contact a pharmacist or state board of
pharmacy or regulatory agency.
3. When disposing of antineoplastic agents, refer to:
Safe Handling of Antineoplastic Agents, No. 8.18.
4. Narcotics should be disposed of according to state
regulations.
5. When disposing of drugs within a nursing home or
subcontracted agency, refer to the Institutional
Guidelines for disposal.
PROCEDURE:
1. Instruct patient/family/caregiver to dispose of
unused medications by:
a. Flushing them down the toilet
b. Pouring them down the sink followed by running
water.
c. Placing them in puncture-proof, leak-proof,
closable container
d. Placing them in a chemotherapy container
2. Observe disposal of medications whenever
possible.
AFTER CARE:
1. Document in patient’s record:
a. Time, date, place and type of patient/caregiver
instruction.
b. Patient/caregiver response to instruction.
c. Observation of medication disposal, if
applicable.
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