1-6. Assistance with Self Administration

How HFRD classifies it

HFRD prints a scope-and-severity letter beside each citation, on the grid the federal nursing home survey uses: A to C is a deficiency with no actual harm and the potential for minimal harm, D to F no actual harm with the potential for more than minimal harm, G to I actual harm that is not immediate jeopardy, and J to L immediate jeopardy; within each band the letter rises from isolated to pattern to widespread. D is by far the most common.

Where it is cited

What the requirement says

HFRD’s requirement text as it appears on the inspection report, verbatim.

111-8-63-.20(2)(a) [Staff assistance with or supervision of self-administered medications] may include only the following tasks: 1. taking the medication, in its previously dispensed, properly labeled container, from where it is stored, and bringing the medication to the resident; 2. reading the label, opening the container, removing a prescribed amount of medication from the container, and closing the container, in the presence of the resident; 3. placing an oral dosage in the resident's hand or placing the dosage in another container where the resident requests assistance; 4. applying topical medications; 5. returning the medication container to proper secured storage; and 6. assisting the resident's use of an EPI pen where the resident has known severe allergies for which an EPI pen has been prescribed on condition that there is an established written protocol detailing how it is to be used and when. The protocol must include immediately calling Emergency Services, 911, after any use of the EPI pen.