How often must countable medications be counted?

Countable medications, such as controlled substances, must be counted each time the medication storage keys change hands. This requirement is essential for maintaining accurate inventory and ensuring the security of these medications. It supports accountability by verifying that the quantity on hand aligns with the records every time there is a transfer of responsibility between staff members. This practice helps prevent loss, theft, or mismanagement of medications and ensures compliance with regulatory standards.

While weekly counts or counts before each administration may be necessary in specific contexts, they do not provide the immediate accountability needed during staff transitions. Counting every time a new medication is received is also important but is a different aspect of inventory management. The focus on counting during key transfers is critical for real-time oversight and security in medication handling.