Section 630. Medication management plan and reference materials

A. The facility shall have, and keep current, a written plan for medication management. The facility's medication plan shall address procedures for administering medication and shall include:

1. Methods to ensure an understanding of the responsibilities associated with medication management;

2. Standard operating procedures and any general restrictions specific to the facility;

3. Methods to prevent the use of outdated, damaged or contaminated medications;

4. Methods to ensure that each resident's prescription medications and any over-the-counter drugs and supplements ordered for the resident are filled and refilled in a timely manner to avoid missed dosages;

5. Methods for verifying that medication orders have been accurately transcribed to Medication Administration Records (MARs);

6. Methods for monitoring medication administration and the effective use of the MARs for documentation;

7. Methods to ensure that staff who are responsible for administering medications meet the qualification requirements of 22VAC40-72-660;

8. Methods to ensure that staff who are responsible for administering medications are adequately supervised;

9. A plan for proper disposal of medication;

10. Methods to ensure that residents do not receive medications or dietary supplements to which they have known allergies; and

11. Identification of the medication aide or the person licensed to administer drugs responsible for routinely communicating issues or observations related to medication administration to the prescribing physician or other prescriber.

B. The facility's written medication management plan and any subsequent changes shall be approved by the department.

C. The plan and subsequent changes shall be reviewed as part of the department's regular inspection process.

D. In addition to the facility's written medication management plan, the facility shall maintain, as reference materials for medication aides, at least one pharmacy reference book, drug guide or medication handbook for nurses that is no more than two years old.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 23, Issue 06, eff. December 28, 2006; amended, Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 08, eff. February 5, 2009.

Statutory Authority

§§ 63.2-217 and 63.2-1732 of the Code of Virginia.