Home Health Care Medication Management
Pursuant to Minnesota Statute 144A.4792, Subd. 5. (a) For each client receiving medication management services, the comprehensive home care provider must prepare and include in the service plan a written statement of the medication management services that will be provided to the client. The provider must develop and maintain a current individualized medication management record for each client based on the client’s assessment that must contain the following:
(1) a statement describing the medication management services that will be provided;
(2) a description of storage of medications based on the client’s needs and preferences, risk of diversion, and consistent with the manufacturer’s directions;
(3) documentation of specific client instructions relating to the administration of medications;
(4) identification of persons responsible for monitoring medication supplies and ensuring that medication refills are ordered on a timely basis;
(5) identification of medication management tasks that may be delegated to unlicensed personnel;
(6) procedures for staff notifying a registered nurse or appropriate licensed health professional when a problem arises with medication management services; and
(7) any client-specific requirements relating to documenting medication administration, verifications that all medications are administered as prescribed, and monitoring of medication use to prevent possible complications or adverse reactions.
Records Must be Current
(b) … the record must be current and updated when there are any changes.
Subd. 6. Administration of medication. Medications may be administered by a nurse, physician, or other licensed health practitioner authorized to administer medications or by unlicensed personnel who have been delegated medication administration tasks by a registered nurse.
Subd. 7. Delegation of medication administration. When administration of medications is delegated to unlicensed personnel, the comprehensive home care provider must ensure that the registered nurse has:
(1) instructed the unlicensed personnel in the proper methods to administer the medications, and the unlicensed personnel has demonstrated the ability to competently follow the procedures;
(2) specified, in writing, specific instructions for each client and documented those instructions in the client’s records; and
(3) communicated with the unlicensed personnel about the individual needs of the client.
Comprehensive home care license. (a) This subdivision applies only to home care providers with a comprehensive home care license that provide medication management services to clients. Medication management services may not be provided by a home care provider who has a basic home care license.
(b) A comprehensive home care provider who provides medication management services must develop, implement, and maintain current written medication management policies and procedures. The policies and procedures must be developed under the supervision and direction of a registered nurse, licensed health professional, or pharmacist consistent with current practice standards and guidelines.
(c) The written policies and procedures must address requesting and receiving prescriptions for medications; preparing and giving medications; verifying that prescription drugs are administered as prescribed; documenting medication management activities; controlling and storing medications; monitoring and evaluating medication use; resolving medication errors; communicating with the prescriber, pharmacist, and client and client representative, if any; disposing of unused medications; and educating clients and client representatives about medications. When controlled substances are being managed, the policies and procedures must also identify how the provider will ensure security and accountability for the overall management, control, and disposition of those substances in compliance with state and federal regulations and with subdivision 22.
Subd. 2. (a) for each client who requests medication management services, the comprehensive home care provider shall, prior to providing medication management services, have a registered nurse, licensed health professional, or authorized prescriber under section 151.37 conduct an assessment to determine what medication management services will be provided and how the services will be provided. This assessment must be conducted face-to-face with the client. The assessment must include an identification and review of all medications the client is known to be taking. The review and identification must include indications for medications, side effects, contraindications, allergic or adverse reactions, and actions to address these issues.
(b) The assessment must identify interventions needed in management of medications to prevent diversion of medication by the client or others who may have access to the medications. “Diversion of medications” means the misuse, theft, or illegal or improper disposition of medications.
Subd. 3. Individualized medication monitoring and reassessment. The comprehensive home care provider must monitor and reassess the client’s medication management services as needed under subdivision 2 when the client presents with symptoms or other issues that may be medication-related and, at a minimum, annually.
Subd. 4. Client refusal. The home care provider must document in the client’s record any refusal for an assessment for medication management by the client. The provider must discuss with the client the possible consequences of the client’s refusal and document the discussion in the client’s record.
Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney Kenneth LaBore has decades of experience and handles the following types of elder abuse claims and others:
Infectious Disease
Patient Lift Injuries and Other Improper Use of Medical Equipment
For a Free Consultation to obtain information on how to hold negligent wrongdoers accountable from an experienced attorney contact Minneapolis Elder Abuse Neglect Attorney Kenneth LaBore at 612-743-9048 or Toll Free at 1-888-452-6589, email: KLaBore@MNnursinghomeneglect.com