Iowa Administrative Code
Agency 481 - Inspections and Appeals Department
Inspections Division
Chapter 71 - Subacute Mental Health Care Facilities
Rule 481-71.17 - Medication Management

(1) Medications must be ordered by qualified prescribers and administered by qualified personnel. For purposes of this subrule, "qualified personnel" means, at a minimum, a certified medication aide.

(2) Prescription medication must be legally dispensed and labeled according to state law.

(3) All medication errors, drug reactions and suspected drug overmedication must be documented and reported to the practitioner who prescribed the medication.

(4) All medications and other preparations intended for internal or external human use must be stored in medicine cabinets or drug rooms. When preservation of the medication or other preparation requires refrigeration, the facility must provide a means of securely refrigerating these items. Such cabinets or drug rooms must be kept securely locked when not in use, and the key must be in the possession of the supervising nurse or other authorized person.

(5) Schedule II drugs must be stored within two separately locked compartments at all times and accessible only to qualified personnel in charge of administering medication.

(6) Any unused portions of program-prescribed medication(s) must be either turned over to the resident with written authorization and directions by the qualified prescriber or returned to a pharmacy for proper disposition by the pharmacist.

(7) Whenever a resident brings the resident's own prescribed medications into the facility, such medications must not be administered unless identified by a qualified prescriber or pharmacist and ordered by a qualified prescriber. If such medications cannot be administered, they must be packaged, sealed, and returned to an adult member of the resident's immediate family or the legal guardian or securely stored and returned to the resident upon discharge. However, if previously prescribed medication would prove harmful to the resident, the medication may be withheld from the resident and disposed of in accordance with subrule 71.17(6). There must be documentation by the qualified prescriber in the resident's clinical record citing the dangers or contraindications of the medication being withheld.

(8) All potent, poisonous, or caustic materials shall be stored separately from medications. All potent, poisonous, or caustic materials shall be plainly labeled and stored in a specific, well-illuminated cabinet, closet or storeroom and made accessible only to authorized personnel.