This section assures patient pharmaceutical needs are met in a planned and organized manner. This section is consistent with the requirements for a health care entity license under RCW 18.64.450 and chapter 246-904 WAC.

An ambulatory surgical facility must:

(1) Only administer, dispense or deliver legend drugs and controlled substances to patients receiving care in the facility;

(2) Assure drugs dispensed to patients are dispensed and labeled consistent with the requirements of RCW 18.64.246, and chapters 69.41 and 69.50 RCW;

(3) Establish a process for selecting medications based on evaluating their relative therapeutic merits, safety, and cost; and

(4) Designate a pharmacist consultant who is licensed in Washington state. The pharmacist consultant can be either employed or contracted by the facility. The pharmacist consultant is responsible for:

(a) Establishing policy and procedures related to:

(i) Purchasing, ordering, storing, compounding, delivering, dispensing and administering of controlled substances or legend drugs;

(ii) Assuring drugs are stored, compounded, delivered or dispensed according to all applicable state and federal rules and regulations;

(iii) Maintaining accurate inventory records and patient medical records related to the administration of controlled substances and legend drugs;

(iv) Maintaining any other records required by state and federal regulations;

(v) Security of legend drugs and controlled substances; and

(vi) Controlling access to controlled substances and legend drugs.

(b) Establishing a process for completing all forms for the purchase and order of legend drugs and controlled substances; and

(c) Establishing a method for verifying receipt of all legend drugs and controlled substances purchased and ordered by the ambulatory surgical facility.