Current through September 2, 2024
Each agency must develop and implement written medication policies and procedures that outline in detail how the agency will ensure appropriate handling and safeguarding of medications. If the agency chooses to assist participants with medications, the agency must also develop and implement specific policies and procedures to ensure assistance is safe and delivered by qualified, fully-trained personnel.
01.
Handling of Participant's Medication. The agency must:
a. Maintain that medication is in the original pharmacy-dispensed container, original over-the-counter container, or placed in a unit container (by a licensed nurse) appropriately labeled with the name of the medication, dosage, time to be taken, route of administration, and any special instructions. Each medication will be packaged separately, unless in a Mediset, blister pack, or similar system.
b. Maintain evidence of the written or verbal order for the medication from the health care professional in the participant's record. Medisets filled and labeled by a pharmacist or licensed nurse can serve as written evidence of the order. An original prescription bottle labeled by a pharmacist describing the order and instructions for use can also serve as written evidence of an order from the health care professional.
c. Be responsible to safeguard the participant's medications while the participant is at the agency or in the community.
d. Not retain medications that are no longer used by the participant for longer than thirty (30) calendar days.
02.
Self-Administration of Medication. Written approval is required when the participant is responsible for administering their own medication without assistance, stating the participant's health care professional has evaluated the participant's ability to self-administer medication, and has found that the participant:
a. Understands the purpose of the medication;
b. Knows the appropriate dosage and times to take the medication;
c. Understands expected effects, adverse reactions or side effects, and action to take in an emergency; and
d. Is capable of taking the medication without assistance.
03.
Assistance with Medication. An agency may assist participants with medications; however, only a health care professional may administer medications. Prior to Unlicensed agency personnel assisting participants with medication, the following conditions must be in place:
a. Personnel assisting with participant medications successfully complete the assistance with medications training course available through an Idaho college or university;
b. The participant's health condition is stable;
c. The participant's health status does not require nursing assessment before receiving the medication or nursing assessment of the therapeutic or side effects after the medication is taken;
d. The medication is in the original pharmacy-dispensed container with proper label and directions, in an original over-the-counter container, or the medication has been placed in a unit container by a licensed nurse. Proper measuring devices will be available for liquid medication that is poured from a pharmacy-dispensed container;
e. Written and oral instructions from a physician, practitioner of the healing arts, health care professional, pharmacist, or nurse concerning the reason(s) for the medication, the dosage, expected effects, adverse reactions, side effects, and action to take in an emergency have been reviewed.
f. Written instructions are in place that outline required documentation of assistance including the following:
i. Name of the participant;
ii. Name and dosage of the medication given;
iii. Time and date the medication was given;
iv. Initials of individual assisting with medication that can be verified with matching signature;
v. Documentation of medication errors to include any dose not taken, incorrect medication taken, overdose occurrence, or side effects observed;
vi. Health care professional contacted to determine the level of threat to the individual's health and determine the treatment required, if any; and
vii. Documentation of corrective action taken and results.
g. Procedures for disposal or destruction of medications must be documented and consistent with procedures outlined in the assistance with medication training course.
Effective March 17, 2022
