Regulations for Medication Administration by Unlicensed Nursing Home Staff
Pursuant to Minnesota Administrative Rule 4658.1360, ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATIONS BY UNLICENSED PERSONNEL, Subpart 1., authorization. The director of nursing services may delegate medication administration to unlicensed personnel according to Minnesota Statutes, sections 148.171, subdivision 15, and 148.262, subdivision 7.
Subp. 2. Training. Unlicensed nursing personnel who administer medications in a nursing home must:
A. have completed a nursing assistant training program approved by the department; and
B. have completed a standardized medication administration training program for unlicensed personnel in nursing homes which is offered through a Minnesota postsecondary educational institution that includes, at a minimum, instruction on the following:
(1) the complete procedure of checking the resident’s medication record;
(2) preparation of the medication for administration;
(3) administration of the medication to the resident;
(4) assisting residents with self-administration as necessary;
(5) documentation after administration of the date, time, dosage, and method of administration of all medications, or the reason for not administering the medication as ordered, and the signature of the nurse or authorized person who administered and observed the same; and
(6) the type of information regarding medication administration reportable to a nurse.
Additional Requirements for Medication Administration by Unlicensed Staff
Subp. 3. Documentation of training course. A nursing home must keep written documentation verifying completion of the required course by all unlicensed nursing personnel administering medications.
Subp. 4. Medication administration. A person who completes the required training course, and has been delegated the responsibility, may administer medication, whether oral, suppository, eye drops, ear drops, inhalant, or topical, if:
A. the medications are regularly scheduled; and
B. in the case of pro re nata (PRN) medications, the administration of the medication is authorized by a nurse or reported to a nurse within a time period that is specified by nursing home policy prior to the administration.
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 Diseases (MRSA, C-Diff)
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.