What must be secured with a lock and key during office closing procedures?

The requirement to secure the provider's prescription pad with a lock and key during office closing procedures is critical for maintaining patient safety and preventing potential misuse of prescription medications. Prescription pads contain sensitive information and have the potential for abuse if they fall into the wrong hands. By locking them away, the medical office safeguards against fraud, unauthorized prescribing, and illegal distribution of controlled substances.

Other items, such as exam rooms and the scheduling book, while important to manage and maintain privacy, typically do not pose the same immediate risk for abuse as prescription pads do. Additionally, banking deposit slips, while needing to be securely stored, are not as critical in the context of immediate risks associated with patient care and medication management. Therefore, ensuring that the prescription pad is secured aligns with legal, ethical, and safety standards in healthcare practices.