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. (3-17-22)
01.
Handling of Participant's
Medication. The agency must: (3-17-22)
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. (3-17-22)
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.
(3-17-22)
c. Be responsible to
safeguard the participant's medications while the participant is at the agency
or in the community. (3-17-22)
d.
Not retain medications that are no longer used by the participant for longer
than thirty (30) calendar days. (3-17-22)
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:
(3-17-22)
a. Understands the purpose of the
medication; (3-17-22)
b. Knows the
appropriate dosage and times to take the medication; (3-17-22)
c. Understands expected effects, adverse
reactions or side effects, and action to take in an emergency; and
(3-17-22)
d. Is capable of taking
the medication without assistance. (3-17-22)
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: (3-17-22)
a. Personnel assisting with
participant medications successfully complete the assistance with medications
training course available through an Idaho college or university;
(3-17-22)
b. The participant's
health condition is stable; (3-17-22)
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;
(3-17-22)
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;
(3-17-22)
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. (3-17-22)
f. Written instructions are in place that
outline required documentation of assistance including the following: (3-17-22)
i. Name of the participant;
(3-17-22)
ii. Name and dosage of
the medication given; (3-17-22)
iii. Time and date the medication was given;
(3-17-22)
iv. Initials of
individual assisting with medication that can be verified with matching
signature; (3-17-22)
v.
Documentation of medication errors to include any dose not taken, incorrect
medication taken, overdose occurrence, or side effects observed;
(3-17-22)
vi. Health care
professional contacted to determine the level of threat to the individual's
health and determine the treatment required, if any; and (3-17-22)
vii. Documentation of corrective action taken
and results. (3-17-22)
g.
Procedures for disposal or destruction of medications must be documented and
consistent with procedures outlined in the assistance with medication training
course. (3-17-22)
