How often should a CMA perform medication counts for controlled substances?

The correct frequency for a Certified Medication Aide (CMA) to perform medication counts for controlled substances is at the beginning and end of each shift. This practice is critical for maintaining accountability and ensuring the security of controlled substances. By counting these medications at both the start and end of a shift, the CMA can verify that the inventory matches expected amounts and can detect any discrepancies that may suggest misuse or loss. This systematic approach helps provide a safeguard against diversion of these substances, ensuring they are only accessible for legitimate medical use.

Counting only once a day would not provide sufficient oversight and could allow for significant discrepancies to go unnoticed for an extended period, potentially leading to serious compliance issues. Frequent checks help assure that any missing medication can be promptly addressed. Similarly, performing counts at the beginning of every hour would be overly burdensome without providing substantial added benefit, as the key times to verify are at shift changes when the responsibility for the medications is transferred. Lastly, counting medications only when prescriptions are altered does not ensure ongoing accountability and safety throughout the entire duration of medication management. Thus, the regular practice of counting at the shift changes serves as the best standard for securing controlled substances.