How often must a "night cabinet" inventory be conducted?

A "night cabinet" inventory is a critical component in pharmacy practice, particularly in hospitals or settings where medications are accessible outside of regular pharmacy hours. The purpose of conducting a night cabinet inventory is to ensure control and accountability over controlled substances stored in these cabinets, minimizing the potential for misuse or diversion.

In Hawaii, and according to general pharmacy regulations, a night cabinet inventory must be conducted quarterly. This frequent inventory allows pharmacies to maintain an accurate count of the medications available, ensuring that discrepancies can be identified and addressed promptly. By conducting these inventories every three months, pharmacies can uphold proper standards of safety and compliance in handling controlled substances.

The other frequencies, such as monthly, annually, or biannually, do not align with regulatory expectations focused on safeguarding medications and maintaining accountability. A monthly inventory may not be practical for all settings, while annual and biannual inventories may not provide sufficient oversight to prevent issues related to medication management.