South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 61 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Subchapter 61-93 - Standards for Licensing Facilities for Chemically Dependent or Addicted Persons
Sec2 61-93.1200 - MEDICATION MANAGEMENT
Section 61-93.1200.1203 - Administering Medication (I)

Universal Citation: SC Code Regs 61-93.1200.1203

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 9, September 27, 2024

A. Doses of Medication shall be administered by the same Licensed Nurse who prepared them for administration. Preparation shall occur no earlier than one (1) hour prior to administering. Preparation of doses for more than one (1) scheduled administration shall not be permitted. Each Medication dose administered shall be recorded on the Patient's Medication administration record ("MAR") as it is administered. Should an ordered dose of Medication not be administered, an explanation as to the reason shall be recorded on the MAR. The recording of Medication administration shall include: the medication name, dosage, mode of administration, date, time, and the signature of the individual administering or supervising the taking of the Medication. Initials in lieu of signatures are acceptable provided such initials can be readily identified on the MAR. If the ordered dosage is to be given on a varying schedule, for example, "take two tablets the first day and one tablet every other day by mouth with noon meal," the number of tablets shall also be recorded.

B. When a Physician or other Authorized Healthcare Provider changes the dosage of a Medication, a new entry reflecting the change shall be documented in the Medication administration record ("MAR"). No dose shall be administered until the Patient's identity has been verified and the dosage compared with the currently ordered and documented dosage level. Ingestion shall be observed and verified by the person authorized to administer the Medication.

C. Opioid Treatment Program Only:

1. The Facility shall not administer a Patient's initial dose of Opioid Treatment Program Medication until the program Physician or other Authorized Healthcare Provider has determined that all admission criteria have been met, to include a completed Physical Examination by the program Physician or other Authorized Healthcare Provider and confirmation of current Medication regimen being taken by the applicant.

2. The initial dose of methadone shall not exceed thirty (30) milligrams and the initial total daily dose for the first day shall not exceed forty (40) milligrams unless the Opioid Treatment Program Physician or other Authorized Healthcare Provider justifies in the Patient record that forty (40) milligrams did not suppress the abstinence symptoms after three (3) hours of observation following the initial dose. There shall be written justification in the Patient record, signed and dated by the Opioid Treatment Program Physician or other Authorized Healthcare Provider, for doses in excess of one hundred (100) milligrams of methadone per day after the first day.

3. A Patient's scheduled dose may be temporarily delayed if necessary, e.g., to obtain a urine sample or for Counselor consultation. The dose shall not be withheld, however, for failure to comply with the Opioid Treatment Program rules or procedures unless the decision is made to terminate the Patient's participation in the Opioid Treatment Program. A dose may be withheld only when the Opioid Treatment Program Physician or other Authorized Healthcare Provider determines that such action is medically indicated.

4. When the Opioid Treatment Program Physician prescribes Controlled Substances other than Opioid Treatment Program Medications, such prescriptions shall not be administered to any Patient unless the Opioid Treatment Program Physician or other Authorized Healthcare Provider first examines the Patient and assesses his or her potential for misuse of such Medications.

D. Self-administration of Medications shall be allowed only on the specific written orders of a Physician or other Authorized Healthcare Provider. An appropriate Staff member delivering the Medication shall document the delivery. Such documentation shall include the date, time, and the signature of the individual delivering the Medication.

E. When Patients who cannot Self-Administer Medications leave the Facility for an extended time, the proper amount of Medications, placed into a prescription vial or bottle, along with dosage, mode, date, and time of administration, shall be given to a responsible person who will be in charge of the Patient during his or her absence from the Facility and properly documented in the Medication administration record. If there is no designated responsible party for the Patient, then the attending Physician or other Authorized Healthcare Provider shall be contacted for proper instructions.

F. The Medications prescribed for a Patient shall be protected from use by other Patients, visitors, and Staff and Volunteers. For those Patients who have been authorized by a Physician or other Authorized Healthcare Provider to Self-Administer Medications, such Medications (nitroglycerin, rescue inhalers, epinephrine auto-injectors) may be kept on the Patient's person, i.e., a pocketbook, pocket, or any other method that would enable the Patient to control the items.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. South Carolina may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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