POLICY AND PROCEDURE

House of New Hope

POLICY: S-601

TITLE: Administration of Medication

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2008 AUTHORIZED BY: Board of Trustees

REVISION DATE: 3/2014, 5/2016, 3/2017

Policy: This policy provides guidelines for House of New Hope staff regarding administration, control, and storage of medication for client’s receiving services.

Mental Health Services

House of New Hope does not administer medication in this program. At no time will mental health providers be involved in the dispensing, administration or control of medication. House of New Hope does not prescribe medication.

House of New Hope does not administer medication in this program.

Developmental Disabilities

Procedure:

  1. An individual who can safely self-administer medication or receive assistance with self-administration of medication has the right to self-administer medication or receive assistance with the self-administration of medication.
  2. Based on an assessment prescribed or approved by the department, the individual's service plan shall document when the individual cannot safely self-administer prescribed medication or receive assistance with self-administration of prescribed medication. The assessment used to determine when an individual cannot safely self-administer or receive assistance with self-administration of prescribed medication shall be reviewed annually, and a new assessment shall be conducted at least every three years.
  3. HONH personnel who are not specifically authorized by other provisions of the Revised Code to provide assistance in the self-administration of prescribed medication may, under section 5123.651 of the Revised Code and this rule, provide that assistance as part of the services they provide to individuals. To provide assistance with self-administration of prescribed medication, HONH personnel are not required to be trained or certified in accordance with section 5123.42 of the Revised Code and rules 5123:2-6-05 and 5123:2-6-06 of the Administrative Code.
  4. When assisting in the self-administration of prescribed medication, HONH personnel shall take only the following actions:
  5. Remind an individual when to take the medication and observe the individual to ensure that the individual follows the directions on the container;
  6. Assist an individual by taking the medication in its container from the area where it is stored, handing the container with the medication in it to the individual, and opening the container, if the individual is physically unable to open the container;
  7. Assist, on request by or with the consent of, a physically impaired but mentally alert individual, with removal of oral or topical medication from the container and with the individual's taking or applying of the medication. If an individual is physically unable to place a dose of oral medication to the individual's mouth without spilling or dropping it, HONH personnel may place the dose in another container and place that container to the individual's mouth.
  8. All HONH providers and staff will access information regarding possible side effects from the prescribing physician. Any side effects of medications will be reported immediately to the physician and documented on medication log.
  9. All prescription medications will be kept in containers labeled with the individual’s name, name of medication, dosage, name of prescribing physician, and any relevant instructions. Medications will be stored in a locked cupboard, box or cabinet or other location accessible only to authorized persons. Any medications that must be refrigerated will be stored in a locked metal box in the refrigerator to prevent tampering, accidental ingestion, and/or overdose of any medications.
  10. When an individual receives a prescription medication, the provider or staff will:
  11. Inventory the medication regarding amount and expiration date and enter such information on the medication list.
  12. Place the medication in the appropriate locked container and store in refrigerator or locked medicine chest.
  13. No medication will be administered past the expiration date.
  14. Each individual’s record shall include a record of medications (prescribed and over-the counter) received by the individual. Documentation will include the medication given, the time given, the dosage, and the name of the person administering the medication. Medication logs are to be turned in monthly to HONH.

Refusal to take any medications or missed doses of prescribed medications will be documented on the medication log and communicated to the physician and the appropriate HONH staff. Changes, additions, or discontinuation of medications will be documented on the medication log.

  1. All HONH staff and providers will comply with ODMRDD 5123:2-6-03 concerning delegated nursing. HONH providers who serve no more than 4 individuals may perform health-related activities and administer prescribed medications as defined in 5123:2-6-01.
  2. Prescribed medications will be disposed of in a safe manner when the prescription is no longer current. The provider or HONH staff person will contact a pharmacist, state health official, or physician regarding the proper method of destruction or disposal of medications. The information to be documented on the individual’s medication log after destruction/disposal includes the name and dosage of the medication, number/amount of the medication, the physician’s name, expiration date, reason for destruction/disposal, date and method of disposal. Infection control procedures will be used when handling or disposing of syringes and other sharp objects.
  3. Medication reviews will occur monthly when HONH staff reviews the medication logs with the provider during the home visit. The prescribing physician will evaluate the continuation of medications as well as recommendations of any changes in medications. This information will be reviewed by the individual’s team. Any changes in medications will occur through written orders from the physician.
  4. Any known allergies to medications, food, or other substances will be documented on the individual’s medication log.

Treatment Foster Care

Statement: HONH does not purchase, store, distribute, return or destroy medications at any of its facilities. In the event that contraband is discovered within its facility or any foster home recommended by HONH, staff will follow the agency’s Contraband procedure.

Medication

1.  All foster parents are required to maintain prescribed and over-the-counter medications in a locked, secure area.

2.  Staff are to ensure that foster parents have obtained from either the prescribing physician or the dispensing pharmacy information on any potential side effects that could occur from the prescribed medication, as well as any potential drug interactions.

3.  Staff are to ensure that foster parents maintain a list of emergency numbers in the home, to include a local poison control center.

Contraband

1.  The Agency strictly prohibits the manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, use and/or sale of a controlled or illicit substance by staff, caregivers or clients. Including, but not limited to:

●  Illegal or unauthorized drugs (including excessive quantities of prescription or over-the-counter drugs) and any other chemical substances that may affect an individual's mood, senses, responses, motor functions or alter or affect a person's perception, performance, judgment, reactions or senses.

●  Drug-related paraphernalia.

●  Alcohol or intoxicating beverages.

2.  Caregivers are to inform Agency staff by telephone within one hour of confiscation.

3.  When confiscated, contraband is to be turned over to the Executive Director or designee with an Incident Report within one business day.

4.  The Executive Director or designee, upon his/her judgment, will destroy said contraband in the presence of a witness and both shall sign the Incident Report, or turn contraband over to law enforcement.

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