Medication and First Aid Kits

Medication and First Aid Kits A. Agency providers must have written policies and procedures and documentation of their implementation pertaining to medication control which assures that: 1. The administration of all prescription drugs and/or other medical procedures must be directed and supervised by an appropriate licensed/credentialed medical/health professional, as per their current scope of practice outlined in applicable law(s) and/or by the appropriate licensure board/credentialing entity (e.g., a licensed physician or a licensed nurse in accordance with the Mississippi Nursing Practice Law and Rules and Regulations). The practice of self-administration of medication by people served in a service location must be developed and supervised in accordance with this same rule (or by the person’s documented treating medical provider). 2. All medications must be clearly labeled. Labeling of prescription medications must also include the name of the person for whom it was prescribed. 3. Medication prescribed for a specific person must be discarded when no longer used by the person and according to a written procedure to do so. 4. Adequate space is provided for storage of drugs that is well lit and kept securely locked. (Exception: Supported Living service locations not owned or controlled by an agency provider). 5. Medication stored in a refrigerator which contains items other than drugs will be kept in a separate, locked compartment or container with proper labeling. (Exception: Supported Living service locations not owned or controlled by an agency provider). 6. Drugs for external and internal use will be stored in separate cabinets or on separate shelves which are plainly labeled according to such use. (Exception: Supported Living service locations not owned or controlled by an agency provider). 7. Prescription and nonprescription drugs must be stored separately. (Exception: Supported Living service locations not owned or controlled by an agency provider). 8. Transportation and delivery of medications must follow any rules, regulations, guidelines, and statutes set forth by governing bodies authorized to do such. 9. Practices for the self-administration of medication by people in a service location are developed with consultation of the medical personnel of the agency provider or the person’s treating medical provider(s). B. Each service location must have a first aid kit. The first aid kit must be properly outfitted according to the service population and the number of people being served at the service location. Contents must not be expired, and depleted items must be replaced in a timely manner. For buildings housing more than one (1) service, a single first aid kit may be used by all services, if readily/easily accessible for all people in the building. C. IDD agency providers have the option to allow non-licensed personnel to assist with medication usage if they have completed the DMH-approved training for this purpose and have demonstrated the requisite skills prior to such assistance. Agencies must have written policies and procedures pertaining to assistance with medication. 1. If the provider determines that non-licensed personnel may assist with medication usage, and the above-referenced training and skills-demonstration requirements are met, then the following procedures are allowed: (a) Opening a dose packet of pills that is packaged by the pharmacy; (b) Opening a pill bottle labeled for the person and pulling a medication out for the person to take; (c) Assisting the person in putting medications in their mouth; (d) Documenting that the person took the medication(s); (e) Crushing a medication that can be crushed (with the order from the prescriber stating that this can be done); (f) Putting medication in food or drink (e.g., applesauce, pudding) and giving that mixture to a person to take orally (with the order from the prescriber stating that this can be done); (g) Applying a topical cream; (h) Applying an eye drop; (i) Applying an ear drop; (j) Applying a nasal mist; (k) Applying a non-narcotic skin patch, (e.g., clonidine, estrogen); (l) Giving a routinely ordered unit dose nebulizer treatment, (e.g., Albuterol, Atrovent); (m) Assisting a person to use a routinely ordered metered dose inhaler, (for asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease); (n) Placing rectal suppository that is routinely ordered; and (o) Taking vital signs. In order for a non-licensed person to assist with medication usage, there must be no clinical decision making needed. Clinical decision making is required to determine if a person should be given a PRN or “as needed” medication, and therefore requires a licensed/credentialed medical/health professional, as per their current scope of practice outlined in applicable law(s) and/or by the appropriate licensure board/credentialing entity (e.g., licensed nurse). 2. The administration of all prescription drugs and/or other medical procedures (other than those listed in the rule above as being acceptable to be carried out by a non-licensed person) must be directed and supervised by an appropriate licensed/credentialed medical/health professional, as per their current scope of practice in applicable law(s) and/or by the appropriate licensure board/credentialing entity (e.g., a licensed physician or a licensed nurse in accordance with the Mississippi Nursing Practice Law and Rules and Regulations). This includes, but is not limited to, the following: (a) Administering medication in a PEG tube; (b) Administering insulin via a subcutaneous injection; (c) Administering an over-the-counter medication that is “as needed” (PRN) (e.g., Tylenol for complaint of a headache); and (d) Administering an “as needed” prescribed medication.