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Advisory Ruling

Advisory Ruling  Take-Home Doses of Methadone During Storm or Related Emergencies in Residences That Are Registered as Medication Administration Program Sites

Date: 12/04/2015
Referenced Sources: Medication Administration Program (MAP)

When a Methadone Treatment Center/Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) will be pursuing authorization for Severe Weather Accommodations and/or has been granted permission to close during a storm or related emergency and an individual supported by the Medication Administration Program (MAP) has been granted Take-Home Status by the OTP, the Department of Public Health (DPH) MAP Registered site may store and have MAP Certified staff administer the individual’s ordered Methadone.

Guidelines for DPH MAP Registered Sites Regarding: Take-Home Doses of Methadone During Storm or Related Emergencies

When a Methadone Treatment Center/Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) will be pursuing authorization for Severe Weather Accommodations and/or has been granted permission to close during a storm or related emergency and an individual supported by the Medication Administration Program (MAP) has been granted Take-Home Status by the OTP, the DPH MAP Registered site may store and have MAP Certified staff administer the individual’s ordered Methadone providing:

  1. The Methadone Treatment Center/Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) has supplied the site with a signed and dated Health Care Provider (HCP) Order for the Methadone. 
    1. All HCP Orders must include the ‘Five Rights’ of Medication Administration
      (i.e., Individual’s Name, Medication, Dose, Time, and Route).
    2. The HCP Order should include the ‘Duration’ (number of days) the Methadone is to be administered at the DPH MAP Registered site.
    3. The HCP Order should include Emergency Contact Information regarding the prescribed Methadone.
  2. The Methadone medication has an appropriate label.
    1. All medication labels must include the ‘Five Rights’ of Medication Administration
      (i.e., Individual’s Name, Medication, Dose, Time, and Route).
  3. The Methadone medication must be received directly from the OTP employee and directly to the MAP Certified/licensed staffperson.
    1. The Methadone medication must be supplied in tamper-resistant packaging (i.e., packaged in such a way that prevents the contents from being altered).
    2. A Medication Transfer Document should be generated.
      • The Medication Transfer Document must be signed and dated by the OTP employee and the MAP Certified/licensed staffperson.
    3. Upon arrival to the DPH MAP Registered site, the Methadone must be logged into the site’s Countable Controlled Substance Book by the MAP Certified/licensed staffperson.

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