Minnesota Nursing Homes Must Have Pharmacist
Pharmacist. According to Minnesota Administrative Rule 4658.1300, MEDICATIONS AND PHARMACY SERVICES; DEFINITIONS, Subpart 1., controlled substances. “Controlled substances” has the meaning given in Minnesota Statutes, section 152.01, subdivision 4.
Subp. 2. Schedule II drugs. “Schedule II drugs” means drugs with a high potential for abuse that have established medical uses as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 152.02, subdivision 3.
Subp. 3. Pharmacy services. “Pharmacy services” means services to ensure the accurate acquiring, receiving, and administering of all drugs to meet the needs of each resident.
Subp. 4. Drug regimen. “Drug regimen” means all prescribed and over-the-counter medications a resident is taking.
Nursing Homes Must Have Pharmacist Service Consultation
Pursuant to Minnesota Rule 4658.1305, PHARMACIST SERVICE CONSULTATION, a nursing home must employ or obtain the services of a pharmacist currently licensed by the Board of Pharmacy who:
A. provides consultation on all aspects of the provision of pharmacy services in the nursing home;
B. establishes a system of records of receipt and disposition of all controlled drugs in sufficient detail to enable an accurate reconciliation; and
C. determines that drug records are accurately maintained and that an account of all controlled drugs is maintained.
Pharmacist Must Review Nursing Home Resident Drug Regimen
Pursuant to Minnesota Administrative Rule 4658.1310 DRUG REGIMEN REVIEW.
A. The drug regimen of each resident must be reviewed at least monthly by a pharmacist currently licensed by the Board of Pharmacy. This review must be done in accordance with Appendix N of the State Operations Manual, Surveyor Procedures for Pharmaceutical Service Requirements in Long-Term Care, published by the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Care Financing Administration, April 1992. This standard is incorporated by reference. It is available through the Minitex interlibrary loan system. It is not subject to frequent change.
B. The pharmacist must report any irregularities to the director of nursing services and the attending physician, and these reports must be acted upon by the time of the next physician visit, or sooner, if indicated by the pharmacist. For purposes of this part, “acted upon” means the acceptance or rejection of the report and the signing or initialing by the director of nursing services and the attending physician.
C. If the attending physician does not concur with the pharmacist’s recommendation, or does not provide adequate justification, and the pharmacist believes the resident’s quality of life is being adversely affected, the pharmacist must refer the matter to the medical director for review if the medical director is not the attending physician. If the medical director determines that the attending physician does not have adequate justification for the order and if the attending physician does not change the order, the matter must be referred for review to the quality assessment and assurance committee required by part 4658.0070. If the attending physician is the medical director, the consulting pharmacist must refer the matter directly to the quality assessment and assurance committee.
Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney Kenneth LaBore has decades of experience and handles the following types of elder abuse claims and others:
Malnutrition
Infectious Disease
Infectious Diseases (MRSA, C-Diff)
Violation of Resident Rights
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 elder abuse 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.