Rule 24-2-13.8 - Medication and First Aid KitsA. 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 a licensed physician or a licensed nurse in accordance with the MS Nursing Practice Law and Rules and Regulations.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 said person and according to a written procedure to do so.4. Adequate space is provided for storage of drugs that is well lighted 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 drugs will be stored in a separate cabinet or compartment utilized only for that purpose. Prescription drugs must not be stored with nonprescription drugs. All drugs must be stored in a location utilized only for storage of prescription and nonprescription drugs. (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 served 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 kit must contain gloves, adhesive bandages, gauze, first aid tape, sterile pads, antiseptic wipes, and a first aid booklet. For buildings housing more than one service, a single first aid kit may be used by all services, if readily/easily accessible for all people in the building. All items must be current.C. In addition to Rules 13.8.A-B, ID/DD agency providers must have written policies and procedures and documentation of their implementation pertaining to medication with the following guidelines:1. Assistance with medication usage by non-licensed personnel The following procedures are considered assisting a person with their medications and do not require a nurse to perform:
(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 his/her 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(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(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 nurse.2. The administration of all prescription drugs and/or other medical procedures other than listed in Rule 13.8.A.1 must be directed and supervised by a licensed physician or a licensed nurse in accordance with the MS Nursing Practice Law and Rules and Regulations. This includes but is not limited to the following: (See Rules 12.1.B.6 and 12.3.A.7 for training requirement) (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)(d) Administering an "as needed" prescribed medication Section 41-4-7 of the Mississippi Code, 1972, as Amended