BMA: Recordkeeping and Publications Requirements for medical supplies onboard

The Marine Notice provides further information about medical supplies onboard according to the Merchant Shipping (Medical Stores) Regulations 1986 (as amended), and the requirements of Standard A4.1 (Medical care on board ship and ashore) of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended.

According to the Marine Notice, the list should be regularly updated and contain, for each item:
• the expiry date
• storage conditions
• quantities remaining after purchase, use or transfer to the expired medicine locker.

BMA mentions that expired medicines shall be recorded in a separate section of the inventory (Expired
Medicine Register) and managed them until disposal.  Disposal information including but not be limited to the contact details of the disposal entity, date and amount of discharge, master’s confirmation for discharge and reference to the disposal certificate shall be recorded in this section.

Injury and Illness Medical Record

A form for Injury and Illness Medical Record shall be completed whenever treatment of a seafarer aboard a vessel needs to be sent ashore. The purpose of this form is to facilitate the exchange of medical and related information concerning individual seafarers between the vessel and shore in cases of illness or injury.

Medical Log

Vessels shall maintain a medical log book to record every case of illness or injury happening to any member of the crew, passengers or other persons engaged in the business of the vessel; the nature thereof; and the medical treatment administered. Electronic records are acceptable.

Controlled Drug Register

For controlled drugs, the Master is required to maintain a two section register. The two sections of the register should detail, why, when and in what quantity the Master purchased a controlled drug and similarly the history of the dispensing or disposal of those controlled drugs. Electronic records are acceptable.

This register must be kept for two years after the date of the last entry.

Publications

For vessels (Category A and B)

• International Medical Guide for Ships (IMGS) (hard copy of most recent edition)
• Quantification Addendum, International Medical Guide for Ships, 3rdEdition, World Health Organization, 2010
• Medical First Aid Guide for Use in Accidents Involving Dangerous Goods (MFAG) (hard copy of most recent edition; carry if transporting dangerous goods)
• The medical section of the International Code of Signals.
• A complete and up-to-date list of radio stations through which medical advice can be obtained.
• If equipped with a system of satellite communication, carry an up-to-date and complete list of coast earth stations through which medical advice can be obtained
• Cards for telemedical advice (fill in before calling for radio medical advice) * 10 cards up to 40 persons, 20 cards for 41-100 persons
• Cards/Charts for tracking temperature * 10 cards up to 40 persons, 20 cards for 41-100 persons

For vessels Category C

• First Aid Manual (St John’s, Red Cross or St Andrew’s) or First Aid Instructions, in English on waterproof paper (Lifeboats and Life-rafts only)

Medicines should only be administered after careful assessment of the patient, noting any past allergy or sensitivity to medications. Seek advice if unsure of the correct treatment.