The medication profile is utilized only for purposes of tracking safe self-administration of medications by clients, and/or reminding clients at the time their physician(s) have recommended they take such medications. The medication profile is also meant to provide a safeguard against potential medication overdoses on the part of the clients and families. The profile is to be completed by the Nurse assigned to the case opening. The following sections have been included on the profile to allow usage of the same profile over the duration of multiple reassessment visits: “N” is placed in the “New” column when a medication is new to the client within the last 30 days; a “C” is placed in the “Change” column when a medication has been changed in the last 30 days; A date is placed in the “D/C” column when a medication has been discontinued.
WHAT IS CONSIDERED MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION, AND THEREFORE IS NOT ALLOWED BY HHAs or PCAs?
(These services would need to be performed by a licensed nurse or family member in advance of, or in conjunction with, the Company’s non-medical services)
Opening a pill bottle and physically pouring out medications for a client.
Cutting, crushing, and/or dissolving medications for a client.
Placing pills into a pillbox or medication cup (this is considered “measurement” of meds).
Receiving phone calls from physicians or other medical professionals regarding changes in types or dosages of medications. Any time an employee receives such a call at a client’s home, the caregiver should refer that health professional to a family member or to management staff.
Insisting that a client take any type of medication upon the client’s initial refusal to take the medication. When a client refuses medication, the employee should immediately contact the office.
If a client begins taking a new medication or discontinues an old medication, notify the office.
WHAT IS ALLOWED TO BE PERFORMED BY HHAs?
At a minimum any procedure performed by a HHA aide must be within the scope of any nurse aide practice guidelines within the State and the HHA aide must have been trained to perform the procedure. Self-administration of medications means that the patient (or the patient’s caregiver) is able to manage all aspects of taking her or his medication, including safe medication storage, removing the correct dose of medication from the container, taking the medication at the correct time, and knowing how to contact the pharmacy for refills or other questions. Assistance in administering medications in this requirement means that the Home Health Aide may take only a passive role in this activity. This assistance is limited to getting water or fluids for the patient to take their medication.
WHAT IS ALLOWED TO BE PERFORMED BY PCAs?
Bringing medication pillboxes or medication cups to a client at the time assigned by the medication profile and pouring the pills from the
cup/pillbox into the client’s hand.
Reminding clients of medication warnings and interactions.
Notifying the client, family, and office of perceived side effects of medications.
Notifying the client, family, and office of probable mistakes a client has made in taking their own medications or in setting up their own
medication boxes or cups.
Notifying the office of any refusal on the part of a client to take an assigned medication.
Note: If any of the previously listed situations were to occur while an employee is on a shift, that caregiver should document the occurrence on the flow sheet and contact the office immediately.