S.C. Code Regs. § § 61-78.1600.1604

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 10, October 25, 2024

Section 61-78.1600.1604 - Administering Medication (I)

A. Medication, to include oxygen, shall be administered to patients only upon orders (to include standing orders) of a physician or other authorized healthcare provider. Medications accompanying patients at admission may be administered to patients provided the medication is in the original labeled container and the order is subsequently obtained as a part of the admission physical assessment. Hospice staff members shall consult with the attending physician or medical director for clarification if there are concerns regarding the appropriateness of administering medications due to the condition and/or state of the medication, for example, expired, makeshift or illegible labels, or the condition and/or state of health of the newly-admitted patient.

B. Doses of medication shall be administered by the same licensed nurse who prepared them for administration. Preparation shall occur no earlier than one hour prior to administering. Preparation of doses for more than one scheduled administration shall not be permitted. Each medication dose administered or supervised shall be properly recorded by initialing on the patient's medication record as the medication is administered. Recording medication administration shall include medication name, dosage, mode of administration, date, time, and the signature of the individual administering or supervising the taking of the medication. Recording shall include the medication, dosage, and mode of administration, date, time and identification of the person administering the medication(s). Initials are acceptable when they can be identified readily by signatures.

C. Medications shall be administered in accordance with state practice acts by a physician or other authorized healthcare provider, or licensed nurse.

D. Medications ordered for a specific patient shall not be provided or administered to any other patient. Medications prescribed for a specific patient cannot be administered to another person.

E. Self-administration of medications shall be allowed only on the specific written orders of the patient's attending physician. (Self-administered medications shall be recorded on the medication administration records by the appropriate licensed staff.) Prescribed and over-the-counter medications, such as nitroglycerin, skin ointments, may be kept at bedside upon physician orders if kept in a closed area, such as the drawer of the patient's night stand, in accordance with Hospice Facility policy.

F. The Hospice Facility shall have a policy related to self-administration of medication.

S.C. Code Regs. § 61-78.1600.1604

Replaced and amended by State Register Volume 40, Issue No. 04, eff. 4/22/2016.