657—40.2 (155A) Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
“Automated medication distribution system”  or “AMDS”  includes, but is not limited to, an automated device or series of devices operated by an electronic interface with one or more computers that is used to prepare, package, or dispense specified dosage units of drugs for administration or dispensing to a patient or the ultimate user. “AMDS” includes a device that prepares and packages a drug for unit dose dispensing, that prepares and packages a drug into outpatient prescription vials, and that dispenses prepackaged drugs.
“Board”  means the board of pharmacy.
“Certified medication aide” means an individual who has successfully completed a medication aide course approved by the Iowa department of inspections and appeals or who has passed a medication aide challenge examination approved by the Iowa department of inspections and appeals and administered by an area community college. A “certified medication aide” is not a “licensed health care professional” as that term is used herein.
“Certified pharmacy technician” means an individual who holds a valid current national certification and who has registered with the board as a certified pharmacy technician pursuant to 657—Chapter 3.
“Checking technician” means a certified pharmacy technician who has been authorized by the pharmacist in charge to participate in a TCT program by checking the work of other certified pharmacy technicians.
“Component” means any single physical or electronic storage or access device that, in combination with other devices, makes up an AMDS.
“Drug bin” means a compartment in an AMDS component that is designed to contain one specific drug.
“Floor stock” means a supply of drugs consisting of emergency drugs and controlled substances that are routinely maintained on patient care units and accessible by nursing staff for patient administration.
“Hospital pharmacy” means a pharmacy licensed by the board pursuant to 657—Chapter 7 and located within a facility which is primarily engaged in providing, by or under the supervision of physicians, concentrated medical and nursing care on a 24-hour basis to inpatients and which maintains and operates organized facilities for the diagnosis, care, and treatment of human illnesses.
“Long-term care facility” means a nursing home, retirement care, mental care, or other facility or institution which provides extended health care to resident patients and which is registered by the board for controlled substances under Iowa Code chapter 124.
“Medication order” means a written or electronic order from a practitioner or an oral order from a practitioner or the practitioner’s authorized agent for administration of a drug or device and, for purposes of this chapter, includes a prescription drug order.
“TCT program” means a board-approved tech-check-tech program implemented and formally established pursuant to these rules by the pharmacist in charge who has determined that one or more certified pharmacy technicians are qualified to safely check the work of other certified pharmacy technicians and thereby provide final verification of drugs which are dispensed for subsequent administration to patients in an institutional setting.
“Unit dose dispensing system” means a drug distribution system utilizing single unit, unit dose, or unit of issue packaging in a manner that helps reduce or remove traditional drug stocks from patient care areas, enables the selection and distribution of drugs to be pharmacy-based and controlled, and improves accountability and accuracy.
[ARC 9783B, IAB 10/5/11, effective 11/9/11]