N.J. Admin. Code § 3A:56-7.4

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 23, December 2, 2024

Section 3A:56-7.4 - Medication other than psychotropic medication

(a) The home shall administer prescription medication to a child only when the medication is authorized by a physician and used only as prescribed.

(b) The home shall limit the dispensing of non-prescription over-the-counter medication to the following types of medicines, which shall be dispensed in accordance with the recommended dosage, age or weight of the child, as indicated on the label:

1. Antihistamines or decongestants;

2. Acetaminophens (or other age-approved aspirin substitutes);

3. Cough suppressants; and

4. Topical ointments.

(c) The home may permit the dispensing of non-prescription medication other than those listed in (b) above if the child's physician authorizes it in writing.

(d) The home shall maintain a medication log book that shall contain the following information:

1. The name of child receiving medication, whether prescription or non-prescription;

2. The type of medication, dosage, and intervals between dosages;

3. What to do if a dosage is missed;

4. The reason for medication;

5. The date and time medication was administered;

6. Possible side effects of the medication, if any; and

7. The signature and title of staff member dispensing medication.

(e) In supervised transitional living homes, self-medicating children may record this information specified in (d) above.

(f) The home shall encourage the self-administration of medication by properly trained and supervised children whenever their intellectual, emotional and physical capabilities make such practice appropriate and feasible. This shall be documented in each child's treatment plan.

(g) The home shall ensure that the following procedures for storage are followed:

1. Group homes, psychiatric community homes for children, teaching family homes and treatment homes shall keep all prescription and non-prescription drugs in a locked cabinet or container, or, as needed, in a locked box in a refrigerator. The home shall ensure that the keys to the locked cabinets, containers and locked boxes are adequately safeguarded and maintained by staff members and are kept out of the reach of the children;

2. Supervised transitional living homes shall keep prescription drugs in a cabinet or container, or, as needed, in a refrigerator;

3. All outdated stocks and prescriptions no longer in use shall be disposed of safely as follows:

i. Liquid medication shall be poured down the drain, the bottles rinsed out and then disposed of in the trash; and

ii. Pills, tablets, and capsules shall be disposed of in a manner that is inaccessible to children and protective of the environment and may be disposed of in a locked bio-hazard container that is then picked up by a licensed bio-hazard disposal company;

4. The telephone number of the regional poison control center shall be posted at all medication-dispensing stations and by each telephone; and

5. Staff members shall have access to medical supplies at all times.

(h) In situations where the home determines that an adolescent is capable of self-administration of prescription birth control-related supplies, the home may allow the adolescent to maintain prescription birth control-related supplies amongst her personal possessions provided that the home:

1. Provides a locked cabinet or box for storage; and

2. Documents in the treatment plan the rationale and arrangements for the adolescent to maintain prescription birth control-related supplies and how medication logging shall be maintained in accordance with (d) above.

(i) In situations where the home, in consultation with the physician, determines that an adolescent in a home without overnight awake coverage must maintain prescription asthma-related rescue medication in his or her personal possession, the home shall:

1. Provide a locked cabinet or box for storage; and

2. Document in the treatment plan the rationale and arrangements for the adolescent to maintain prescription asthma-related rescue medication and how medication logging shall be maintained.

(j) Where the term "physician" is referenced in this section, an advanced practice nurse (APN) may provide the indicated service, as licensed.

N.J. Admin. Code § 3A:56-7.4

Administrative Change, 49 N.J.R. 98a.

Amended by 50 N.J.R. 135(a), effective 1/2/2018