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Assistance with Self-Administered Medications

Sets out the limited help with medications that direct care workers may give a consumer who self-administers (reminders, bringing and opening labeled containers, reading labels, observing and recording), the tasks they never perform, and what to do when a consumer refuses, misses, or takes a wrong dose.

Preview: full text with a package
About this policy
Policy number
PA-HC-SVC-03
Version
1.0
Main rule
28 Pa. Code §611.55(c)(6)
Library
Pennsylvania home care · 49 policies
Category
Clinical tasks
Sections
18

In short

  • Help with medications only if the service plan says so, and only for consumers who take their own medications.
  • You may remind, bring the labeled container, read the label aloud, open it, and watch the consumer take it.
  • Never choose a dose, fill a pill organizer, crush pills, put pills in food or in the consumer’s mouth, or give an injection.
  • Record every dose taken, refused, or missed. Never record a dose you did not see taken.
  • Call your supervisor right away about a wrong or missed dose. Call 911 for a serious reaction.

What's inside

18 sections. The full text comes with the One-time Policy Pack.

Full text with a package
  • Terms of Reference
  • 1. Purpose
  • 2. Scope
  • 3. Definitions
  • 4. Policy Statement (28 Pa. Code §611.55(c)(6))
  • 5. Before Medication Assistance Starts
  • 6. What Direct Care Workers May and May Not Do
  • 7. Steps at Each Medication Time
  • 8. Refusals, Missed Doses, Errors, and Reactions
  • 9. Reporting
  • 10. Storage, Supplies, and Disposal
  • 11. Responsibilities
  • 12. Records and Compliance Monitoring
  • 13. Staff Training
  • 14. References
  • 15. Related Policies and Forms
  • 16. Approval
  • 17. Revision History

An inspector may ask

  • What does a direct care worker do when it is time for a consumer’s medication?
  • Show me where this consumer’s service plan says what medication help the worker gives.

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