This is the last blog post in our five (5) part series titled the “5 biggest prescription errors that nurse practitioners can make”. Our focus today is on proper chart notation, formatting, and drug enforcement agency (DEA) requirements. It is advisable to review and become familiar with 21 NCAC 32M .0109.
Proper chart notation refers to the need for each prescription to be noted on every patient’s chart. The patient’s chart has to include prescription medication and dosage. The amount of the drug that is prescribed also has to be on the patient’s chart as well as directions for use of the drug or device being prescribed. Nurse practitioners must also list the number of prescription refills on the patient’s chart and NPs must sign the chart.
Prescription formatting is also essential. When a prescription is issued, the nurse practitioner must make sure it includes the supervising physician(s) name, patient’s name, NP’s name, telephone number, and approval number. In addition, when a NP is prescribing a controlled substance, she/he must write her/his assigned DEA number on the prescription form.
If a nurse practitioner intends on prescribing schedule II, IIN, III, IIIN, IV, or V controlled substances, he/she must obtain the aforementioned drug enforcement agency (DEA) number. Application for said number is made through the DEA itself. This number is to be on all controlled substance prescriptions the nurse practitioner writes. The reason for this is to ensure that the NP is in compliance with all state and federal controlled substance prescription laws.
We hope you have enjoyed this blog series. For more nurse practitioner content or to learn more about our representation of nurse practitioners, please visit our website here or call us at 919-521-8810.
*Nothing in this blog post establishes an attorney-client relationship. This information is not intended to be legal advice.