Healthcare Inspection Self-Administered Rescue Medications Specialized Inpatient Stress Disorders Unit VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System Topeka, Kansas

The purpose of this review was to determine the validity of allegations that the local policy on medication management, specifically rescue medications, was inappropriate and unsafe for the Specialized Inpatient Stress Disorders Unit (SIPU) patient population at the VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System, Topeka, KS. The complainant specifically reported that patients are “at risk for heart attack and death” without immediate access to rescue medications because they are not allowed to carry these medications with them when they leave the unit. We substantiated that the current formal facility policy did not allow patients to carry rescue medications with them when they left the unit; however, SIPU staff identified this problem and took steps to implement a process that allowed patients to carry rescue medications with them when they leave. The VISN and Facility Directors concurred with our recommendation that the facility develop a formal, written SIPU-specific policy that includes procedures for administering rescue medications. The action taken is acceptable and we consider the recommendation closed.