Client’s Own Medications

Subject to modification by the VTH Director without approval.

Policy

This document outlines when medications brought by a client may be accepted for use. It is designed to make sure all necessary treatments are provided while ensuring only medications that are of high quality and have been appropriately stored are administered. This applies to all patients of the VMSC or VTH.

Policy: If a medication or appropriate substitute is available from the VMSC or VTH Drug Room, then the medication must be obtained from our in-house supply while the patient is in the hospital. If a medication or an appropriate substitute is not available, then the client’s own medication may stay with the patient as long as it’s not a controlled substance. 

Guidelines

No controlled substances may be left with a patient. 

Procedure (if applicable)

1. If an owner brings a patient’s medications from home, the medications should be reviewed for hospital availability and clinical necessity.
2. No controlled substances may be left. These must all be sent home with the client or disposed of appropriately.
3. If the medication can be obtained from the VTH drug room, then the client’s own medication may not be left.
4. If the exact medication is not available from the VTH drug room, then the clinician should determine if the medication is medically necessary and if there is a therapeutic substitution that can be made using a medication available in the VTH drug room. If a patient’s own medication is determined to be medically necessary while in the hospital, then the medication may be left. However, it must contain an appropriate label from its source (rDVM or pharmacy) indicating the patient it is for and the directions for use.
5. If a non-controlled medication was recently (<2 weeks ago) dispensed from the VTH or VMSC, and the drug is still appropriately labeled, it may be taken in with the patient. Verification should be performed by a pharmacist that the medication in the container is what it’s labeled to be.
6. When any medications are brought from home for a patient, they should be entered as new prescriptions by using the Medication from Home drug code. This will document the medication and directions on the patient’s record without a charge.

Definitions (if applicable)

Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH): The collective clinical services of the Large Animal Clinic, Midwest Equine, the Small Animal Clinic, and the Veterinary Medicine South Clinic.