ALS Controlled Substances – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering essential terms and system functions from Prince George’s County Fire/EMS General Order 05-18 on ALS Controlled Substances.

Advanced Life Support (ALS) Clinician

Person who accepts, maintains, or transfers custody of narcotics, recorded in Operative IQ.

Audit

Process used to verify the identity and quantity of controlled substances under an ALS clinician’s custody.

Biometric Verification

Identity confirmation using biological characteristics (e.g., fingerprint, facial recognition).

Controlled Substance

Drug or chemical regulated under the Controlled Substances Act.

Control Number

Unique identifier assigned to a medication vial for tracking purposes.

DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration)

Federal agency that enforces the Controlled Substances Act and monitors Schedule drugs.

Dual Verification

Security step in Operative IQ requiring two ALS clinicians to confirm a custody transfer.

Duty Chief

Career Assistant Fire Chief acting as shift commander.

EMS Duty Officer (EMSDO)

EMS supervisor who audits, restocks, and may assume custody of narcotics.

EMS Logistics Coordinator

Employee responsible for EMS assets, equipment, and medication procurement.

ePCR (Electronic Patient Care Report)

Digital record used to document patient care, medication administration, and waste.

Jurisdictional Medical Director

Physician who provides prescriptions and DEA authorization for the Department’s narcotics.

MedVault

PIN-coded safe installed on selected ALS units for narcotic storage.

MedVault Personal Identification Number (PIN)

Unique five-digit code used by an ALS clinician to open the MedVault.

Narcotic

Any controlled substance managed under General Order 05-18.

Narcotic Box

Sealable container that holds multiple medication vials assigned to a clinician or EMSDO.

Narcotics Safe

Secured storage site for controlled substances or narcotic boxes not yet assigned to an ALS clinician.

Operative IQ

Software platform for electronic tracking of all Department narcotics.

Operative IQ PIN

Unique four-digit code that allows system access when biometric scan is unavailable.

Pick Up (function)

Operative IQ action that lets a clinician take virtual custody of a narcotic or box from a safe.

Schedule (Controlled Substances)

DEA classification system ranking drugs by abuse potential and medical use (I through V).

Schedule II

High-abuse-potential prescription drugs with severe restriction but accepted medical use.

Schedule III

Prescription drugs with abuse potential lower than Schedules I & II and accepted medical use.

Schedule IV

Prescription drugs with lower abuse risk than Schedules I-III; may cause moderate dependence.

Seal Tag

Numbered, tamper-proof tag applied to a narcotic box; its number is logged in Operative IQ.

Special Events Unit Coordinator

Authorized employee who issues and receives narcotic boxes for Special Events operations.

Stock Supply

Bulk narcotics stored at EMS Logistics, including new shipments from vendors.

Stock Supply Access

Permission held by designated ALS personnel, EMS Logistics, EMS Captain, or Battalion Chief to enter stock.

Suitable Witness

Qualified individual (e.g., RN, PA, NP, physician, or EMSDO) who verifies medication waste.

Verification (Operative IQ)

Secure confirmation of system activity via password, PIN, or biometric scan.

Administer (Operative IQ Function)

Module used to record patient medication administration and any associated waste.

Audit (Operative IQ Function)

Tool to confirm control numbers and reseal a narcotic box.

Load My Box

Function allowing a clinician to place vials already assigned to them into their narcotic box.

Load Field Box

Supervisor-level function that adds or swaps vials between supply and a clinician’s box.

Transfer (Operative IQ Function)

Action used by two clinicians to hand off narcotic custody, requiring dual verification.

Return (Operative IQ Function)

Process for moving a narcotic or box back into a designated safe.

Incident Report (Operative IQ)

Electronic report documenting lost, damaged, or compromised medication.

APEX Vending Machine

Automated device that dispenses single narcotic vials to clinicians on a one-for-one restock basis.

APEX Surge Locker

Locker containing MedVaults and equipment for surge operations; clinicians ‘Pick Up’ boxes here.

Narcotics Workflow

End-to-end physical and virtual process for receiving, administering, restocking, and disposing of drugs.

Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970

Federal law (Controlled Substances Act) mandating security, record-keeping, and audits for narcotics.

Maryland MIEMSS Protocols

State guidelines that authorize EMS use of scheduled drugs referenced in the General Order.

Quarterly Urinalysis

Drug test required at least every three months for EMS Logistics personnel with narcotic access.

Loss/Damage Report

Form submitted per GO 08-05 when narcotics are lost, stolen, or damaged.

One-for-One Exchange

Replacement policy where one administered or wasted vial is exchanged for one new vial.

Seal Integrity Check

Mandatory step ensuring the narcotic box seal is intact before accepting custody.

Patient Administration with Waste

Scenario in which a portion of a vial is used on a patient and the remainder must be witnessed and discarded.

Expired Substance Procedure

Process where an ALS clinician transfers outdated vials to EMSDO for replacement and disposal.

Operative IQ ‘Pick Up’ from APEX

Documentation step for recording a vial retrieved from the vending machine into the narcotic box.

MedVault Malfunction Protocol

Guideline instructing clinicians to store narcotic boxes in the ALS StatPak if the safe fails.

ALS StatPak

Bag or case on an ALS unit where a sealed narcotic box is kept when not in the MedVault.