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County officials warn state-mandated EMS drug-box exchange will be costly and increase out-of-service time
Summary
County staff and Fire/EMS leaders said a Commonwealth mandate requiring EMS providers to take custody of controlled medications and implement tracked Pyxis systems by Nov. 27 creates an unfunded local burden: preliminary retrofit and medication costs were estimated at $200,000–$250,000 and chiefs warned it will increase unit out-of-service time and require new DEA licensing and trained staff.
County staff and Fire/EMS leaders briefed the board on a Commonwealth initiative to change how EMS drug boxes are handled, shifting custody and inventory-control responsibility from receiving hospitals to EMS providers and requiring tracked storage systems by Nov. 27.
A county staff presenter said the new rules will implement "more tracking and control of the medications from start to finish," transferring responsibility to local EMS and requiring DEA licensing for providers that will hold controlled substances.…
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