Title: Self-Administration of Medication in Assisted Living Facilities

Summary: Revises criteria for assistance with self-administration of medication in ALFs.

Full Text:
An act relating to self-administration of medications in assisted living facilities; amending s. 429.256, F.S.; revising criteria for assistance with self administration of medication; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Subsections (3), (4), and (5) of section 429.256, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 429.256 Assistance with sel f-administration of medication.-(3) Assistance with self-administration of medication includes: (a) Bringing to the resident medication that was previously dispensed in a properly labeled container from where it is stored. Such medication includes ins ulin syringes that are prefilled with the proper dosage by a pharmacist and insulin pens that are prefilled by the manufacturer Taking the medication, in its previously dispensed, properly labeled container, from where it is stored, and bringing it to the resident.(b) In the presence of the resident, reading the label, opening the container, removing a prescribed amount of medication from the container, and closing the container. HB 2014 (c) Placing an oral dosage in the resident's hand or placing the dosage i nanother container and helping the resident by lifting the container to his or her mouth. (d) Applying topical medications. (e) Returning the medication container to proper storage. (f) Keeping a record of when a resident receives assistance with se lf-administration under this section. (g) Assisting a resident in using a nebulizer, including removing the cap of the nebulizer, opening the unit dose of nebulizer solution, and pouring the prescribed premeasured dose of medication into the dispensing cup of the nebulizer. (h) Using a glucometer to perform blood glucose checks. (i) Assisting with the putting on and taking off of anti embolism stockings. (j) Assisting with applying and removing an oxygen cannula, but not with titrating the prescribe doxygen settings. (k) Assisting with the use of a continuous positive airway pressure device (CPAP), but not with titrating the prescribed setting of the device. (l) Assisting with the measuring of vital signs. (m) Assisting with the use of colostom ybags. (n) Dialing the dosage of a predetermined number of units from an insulin pen. (4) Assistance with self-administration does not include: (a) The mixing, compounding, converting, or calculating of medication doses, except for the measuring of a prescribed HB 2014 amount of liquid medication or the breaking of a scored tablet or the crushing of a tablet as prescribed. (b) The preparation of syringes for injection or the administration of medications by any injectable route. (c) The administration of medications through intermittent positive pressure breathing machines or a nebulizer.(d) The administration of medications by way of a tube inserted in a cavity of the body. (e) The administration of parenteral preparations. (f) Irrigations or deb riding agents used in the treatment of a skin condition. (g) Rectal, urethral, or vaginal preparations. (h) Medications ordered by the physician or health care professional who has with prescriptive authority to be given "as needed," unless the order i swritten with specific parameters that preclude independent judgment on the part of the unlicensed person, and at the request of a competent resident. (i) Medications for which the time of administration, the amount, the strength of dosage, the method of administration, or the reason for administration requires judgment or discretion on the part of the unlicensed person. (5) Assistance with the self-administration of medication by an unlicensed person as described in this section is shall not be consid ered administration as defined in s. 465.003. Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2014.