Grocery Pharmacy Consultation Area Cleanliness Audit

Inspection template for grocery pharmacy consultation areas covering counter cleanliness, HIPAA notice posting, OSHA compliance, NFPA fire-life-safety standards, and patient privacy requirements.

Consultation Counter Cleanliness

• Consultation counter surface is free of debris, spills, and residue
  Visually inspect the entire counter surface. No visible dust, liquid spills, medication residue, or food debris should be present.
• Counter surface has been sanitized within the last 4 hours (verify log)
  Check the cleaning log to confirm the counter was sanitized with an EPA-registered disinfectant within the past 4 hours. Log must include time, date, and initials.
• Consultation area is free of clutter (personal items, non-pharmacy materials, excess paperwork)
  Only pharmacy-related materials should be present on or immediately around the consultation counter. Personal items, food, and beverages must not be present.
• Pen, stylus, or shared patient-contact items are sanitized between uses
  Verify that any shared items (e.g., signature pads, pens) are wiped with a disinfectant wipe between patient interactions.
• Consultation counter cleanliness overall rating
  Rate the overall cleanliness of the consultation counter area.

HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) Compliance

• HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) is visibly posted in the consultation area
  The NPP must be displayed in a clear, prominent location where patients can read it without requesting it. Per 45 CFR §164.520(c)(2)(ii), covered entities must post the notice at each service delivery site.
• Posted NPP is the current version (verify effective date on document)
  Check the effective date printed on the NPP. An outdated NPP constitutes a non-conformance. The current version must reflect any policy changes made within the last revision cycle.
• Paper copies of the NPP are available for patients upon request
  A supply of printed NPP copies must be accessible at or near the consultation counter per 45 CFR §164.520(c)(2)(i). Verify physical copies are stocked.
• NPP is legible and undamaged (not faded, torn, or obscured)
  The posted NPP must be fully readable. Faded, torn, or partially obscured notices are a deficiency.
• Number of NPP paper copies currently available at counter
  Count the number of printed NPP copies available. Minimum acceptable quantity is 5.

Patient Privacy and Confidentiality Controls

• Consultation area provides adequate visual privacy from general store traffic
  The consultation space must be positioned or screened so that patient interactions are not visible to general store customers. Verify physical barrier, partition, or designated private space exists.
• Consultation area provides adequate auditory privacy (conversations not easily overheard)
  Verify that normal-volume conversations at the consultation counter cannot be clearly overheard by customers in adjacent aisles or at the main pharmacy counter.
• No patient PHI (Protected Health Information) is visible on counter surfaces or screens facing the public
  Check that no prescription labels, patient records, or screen displays containing PHI are visible to unauthorized individuals from the public side of the counter.
• Privacy screen or monitor filter is installed on any patient-facing computer terminal
  If a computer terminal is present at the consultation area, verify a privacy screen filter is installed to prevent shoulder-surfing of PHI.

OSHA and Safety Compliance

• Emergency exit path from consultation area is unobstructed and clearly marked (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.37)
  Verify that the path from the consultation area to the nearest emergency exit is free of boxes, equipment, or other obstructions. Exit signage must be illuminated per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.37(b).
• Fire extinguisher is accessible within 75 feet of consultation area and current inspection tag is present (NFPA 10)
  Locate the nearest fire extinguisher. Verify it is unobstructed, the inspection tag shows a check within the last 12 months, and the pressure gauge is in the green zone. Per NFPA 10, portable fire extinguishers must be inspected annually.
• Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are accessible for all chemical cleaning agents used in the consultation area (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200)
  Per OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom 2012), SDS must be readily accessible to employees for all hazardous chemicals used. Verify SDS binder or electronic access is available.
• Appropriate PPE (gloves, hand sanitizer) is available at or near the consultation counter
  Verify that nitrile or latex-free gloves and hand sanitizer (≥60% alcohol per CDC guidelines) are stocked and accessible to pharmacy staff at the consultation area.
• Lighting at consultation counter is adequate for reading prescription labels and counseling materials
  Measure or estimate illumination level. Minimum acceptable lux level at the consultation counter work surface is 500 lux (approximately 50 foot-candles) per IESNA RP-29 pharmacy lighting guidelines.

Signage, Regulatory Postings, and Documentation

• Current state pharmacy license is posted and visible
  The pharmacy's state board of pharmacy license must be posted in a conspicuous location. Verify the license is current (not expired) and the expiration date is legible.
• Pharmacist-in-charge (PIC) name is posted or readily identifiable to patients
  Many state boards require the PIC name to be displayed. Verify name placard or posted notice is present and current.
• Consultation area cleaning log is present and entries are current (within last 24 hours)
  A cleaning and sanitization log must be maintained at or near the consultation area. Verify the most recent entry is within the last 24 hours and includes date, time, and staff initials.
• Additional deficiencies or observations noted during inspection
  Document any deficiencies, non-conformances, or notable observations not captured in prior items.