Final answer:
Accounting for controlled substances in hospitals involves using automated dispensing machines, inventory audits, biometric access controls, and potentially directly observed therapy for certain medications. These measures are bolstered by training for healthcare staff and strict prescribing protocols to ensure safety and prevent misuse.
Step-by-step explanation:
In hospitals, controlled substances must be meticulously accounted for through various methods to ensure patient safety, legal compliance, and prevention of misuse. One common approach is the use of automated dispensing machines that track medication dispensation with precise records of the identity and amount of drugs accessed by healthcare professionals. Another method includes the biometric access controls to secure areas where controlled substances are stored, limiting access to authorized individuals only. Inventory audits are regularly conducted to reconcile the amount of substances on hand with usage logs. In situations where mishandling is detected, such as the theft of painkillers that led to patients being infected with HIV, hospitals must take swift corrective action to contain the issue and prevent future occurrences.
The implementation of directly observed therapy (DOT) for certain medications can also ensure controlled administration of drugs, although this may be less practical for all types of medications. Policies need to balance treatment costs, patient quality of life, and privacy concerns, addressing questions around overprescription, cost responsibility, and safeguarding health records. Lastly, ongoing education and training of healthcare professionals, along with stringent protocols for prescribing, administering, and monitoring the use of controlled substances, are crucial.