Monitoring and Tracking

What Works: Effective Practices for Office-based CareMedication Management
Sample Medications

Recommendation: Practice has a process to monitor and track sample medications including expiration dates.

Source: CRICO/RMF Office Practice Handbook


 Exemplary Practice

Pharmacist maintains and monitors sample medication supply (including expiration dates) and documentation of distributed samples

Benefits:
  • Pharmacist is a member of the team and available for consultation
  • QA check of documentation
  • Eliminates expired drugs
In practice at: Quincy (HVMA), Newton-Wellesley Family Medicine (NWH)


 Effective Practice
Pharmacist monitors sample medication supply (including expiration dates) and documentation of distributed samples
Benefits:
  • Pharmacist oversight
  • QA check of documentation
  • Eliminates expired drugs
In practice at: Senior Health Center (CHA), Union Square Family Health Center (CHA), East Cambridge Health Center (CHA)


 Effective Practice
Computer database of distributed samples based upon information from specially designed form completed by the physician includes drug, lot number, amount dispensed, and patient name
Benefits:
  • Database for easy retrieval of information
  • Contains all pertinent information in case of recall
In practice at: Brigham Medical Group (BWH)


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