Section 4723.671 | Medication aide authority to administer prescription medication.
This section establishes standards and conditions under which a medication aide who holds a current, valid medication aide certificate issued under this chapter is authorized to administer prescription medications to residents of a residential care facility.
(A) A medication aide may administer prescription medications, but only pursuant to the delegation of a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse acting at the direction of a registered nurse.
(B) In delegating medication administration to a medication aide, all of the following apply:
(1) The delegation shall be carried out in accordance with the rules for nursing delegation adopted under this chapter by the board of nursing.
(2) A nurse who has delegated to a medication aide responsibility for the administration of prescription medications shall not withdraw the delegation on an arbitrary basis or for any purpose other than patient safety.
(3) A nurse may delegate to a medication aide responsibility for the administration of initial doses of prescription medications.
(4) A nurse may delegate to a medication aide responsibility for the administration of prescription medications with designations authorizing or requiring administration on an as-needed basis, but the delegation shall occur only after the nurse has completed a nursing assessment of the patient.
(C) In exercising the authority to administer prescription medications pursuant to nursing delegation, all of the following apply:
(1) A medication aide may administer prescription medications in any of the following categories:
(a) Oral medications;
(b) Topical medications;
(c) Medications administered as drops to the eye, ear, or nose;
(d) Rectal and vaginal medications.
(2) In the case of a medication prescribed with a designation authorizing or requiring administration on an as-needed basis, a medication aide may administer the medication regardless of whether the delegating nurse is present at the facility.
(3) A medication aide shall not administer prescription medications in either of the following categories:
(a) Except as provided in division (C)(5) of this section, medications containing a schedule II controlled substance, as defined in section 3719.01 of the Revised Code;
(b) Medications requiring dosage calculations.
(4) A medication aide shall not administer prescription medications by any of the following methods:
(a) Except as provided in division (C)(6) of this section, injection;
(b) Intravenous therapy procedures;
(c) Splitting pills for purposes of changing the dose being given.
(5) A medication aide may administer oral or topical medications containing a schedule II controlled substance.
(6) A medication aide who satisfies training and competency requirements specified in rules adopted by the board may administer insulin to residents by injection, but only if the medication is injected using an insulin pen device that contains a dosage indicator.
Last updated September 25, 2024 at 2:15 PM
Available Versions of this Section
- October 24, 2024 – Enacted by Senate Bill 28 - 135th General Assembly [ View October 24, 2024 Version ]