How many DEA registrations does a hospital with inpatient satellites need?

A hospital with inpatient satellites typically requires only one DEA registration. This is because the hospital is considered a single entity, even if it has multiple satellite locations. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recognizes that the main hospital and its satellite clinics or inpatient units operate under the same organizational structure and can share the same registration for dispensing controlled substances.

Having one DEA registration allows the hospital to manage and dispense controlled substances across all its locations without the need for multiple registrations, simplifying the administrative burden. However, if a separate entity were to operate a distinct pharmacy or clinic, then that entity would require its own registration. In this case, as long as the inpatient satellites are part of the hospital's operations, one single DEA registration suffices.

This streamlined approach to registration facilitates the efficient provision of medication to patients across various caregiving sites within the same healthcare system.