OTC at work: OK at some sites, banned at others.(over-the-counter )

Publication: Occupational Health Management

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COPYRIGHT 2006 A Thomson Healthcare Company

OTC at work: OK at some sites, banned at others

NSAIDs, antacids among medications at issue

After going back and forth over the question of whether to provide employees certain over-the-counter (OTC) medications for everyday complaints such as headaches, muscle strains, and upset stomachs, Community Memorial Hospital in Menomonee Falls, WI, has opted to not stock OTC medications for its employees.

Shirley P. Rosien, RN, COHN-S, director of occupational health and wellness at Community Memorial, says the decision boiled down largely to record-keeping and documentation requirements set forth by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

"Being a hospital-based occupational health department, the regulations may be different than industry-based occ-health departments, but most of our issues relate to Joint Commission requirements," explains Rosien.

As an alternative, the hospital's outpatient pharmacy keeps a stock of commonly used OTC medications that employees can obtain.

No standard, but plenty of questions

At any time, a third or more of your worker population is likely to...

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