Creating and completing an inventory count

1. Start the count

• Go to Counts and press Start New Count.
• The name and today's date are filled in. The count date can't be later than today.
• The drugs from your last count are listed at 0, ready to fill in.

2. Count each drug

• Type in what you count for each drug as you go.
• Schedule II is counted exactly. Schedules III to V can be estimated, unless a container holds more than 1,000 tablets or capsules.
• A drug that isn't on the list? Add it by its NDC.
• Counted on paper or in a spreadsheet? Upload Count takes a CSV or Excel file with the columns NDC, Counted, Notes.

3. Opening or close of business

• The DEA requires an inventory to say whether it was taken at the opening or the close of business.
• Pick one under Taken at, on the sign-off. Until you do, the printed report leaves a blank to fill in by hand.

4. Reconcile and finalize

• Upload your purchase, dispensing and destruction records for the days since your last count. Each upload ticks a step on the count.
• Give every line that is off a short reason.
• Press Finalize count. It becomes the starting point for each drug's next count.

How often

Federal (DEA) and Florida law require a full inventory of controlled substances at least every 2 years. Your own schedule can be tighter: every 1 to 6 months, under Narcotic count schedule in Settings.