MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION - TRAINING
This training session provides an overview of Agape Home Care policies, procedures and protocols related to medication administration. To complete this training exercise: 1) watch the attached video; 2) review Agape Home Care policies, procedures and protocols pertaining to medication administration; 3) complete the attached quiz to include your full name with answers to the questions related to the subject matter covered; 4) click on the "SUBMIT" button to send your answers and verify that you have completed the training and have understood the material covered (after submitting the form, a link will appear revealing the correct answers with associated policies). This training exercise should take approximately 30 minutes to complete.
AGAPE HOME CARE - MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION
Assisting clients with their medications is an important service that caregivers provide, especially for individuals with cognitive impairment who require reminders, oversight and direction to ensure that their medications are taken as prescribed Caregivers must remain extremely vigilant to follow licensing guidelines, company policies & client care plans to avoid medication errors, which can result in serious injury or death.
HOME CARE SERVICES BUREAU - STATE LICENSING GUIDELINES:
Agape Home Care is a licensed Home Care Organization under the Home Care Services Bureau (HCSB), and as such, Home Care Aides (HCA) serving clients under our license are not permitted to provide “medical services,” which includes strict limitations on how client’s medications are administered. HCAs can assist clients with “self-administered” medications; however, they are not permitted to administer medications that require oversight by a licensed medical professional.
Here’s how the State guidelines are applied in practice: Home Care Aides can provide medication reminders and present medications to the client to be taken; however, they cannot determine or acquire medication dosages, modify or alter medications or administer medications directly by injection or by putting medications into the client’s mouth or feeding tube. Home Care Aides can oversee & instruct clients in setting up their insulin pens, measuring and preparing liquid medications & filling their medication dispensers according to physician’s orders; however, they cannot perform these activities directly on behalf of their clients.
Failure to follow these licensing guidelines can put yourself & Agape Home Care at risk of legal liability, so be sure that you fully understand & comply with these instructions.
AGAPE HOME CARE - POLICIES, PROCEDURES & PROTOCOLS:
In addition to licensing guidelines, AHC has specific policies, procedures & protocols that Agape staff are required to follow when assisting clients with their medications. The goal of these practices is to preserve the health, safety and wellbeing of our clients by taking every prudent measure and precaution to ensure that our clients receive their medications as prescribed.
1) never handle a client’s medications unless directed to do so by your Agape Supervisor as part of the Client’s Plan of Care; 2) only give medications according to physician’s orders, from designated dispensers, on designated days, dates & times - never deviate from this practice without approval from your Agape Supervisor; 3) at the beginning of each shift, review & confirm that client’s medications have been properly taken & charted during the previous shift; 4) always observe & chart medications taken (or declined) as directed in client’s Plan of Care; 5) always count & chart narcotic medications when receiving or delivering prescriptions, at the beginning of your shift & when taken by a client; 6) immediately report any discrepancy observed in client medication administration to Agape Supervisor (with dispensers, pill/unit count, missed or double dosages or charting); 7) immediately report any medication changes implemented by the client’s medical team to Agape Supervisor; 8) never deny or force a client to take medications; 9) use only approved methods when assisting clients with medication disposal; 10) never borrow or use a client’s medications, prescription or over the counter (with or without their permission); 11) contact your Agape Supervisor if you have any questions or concerns about a client’s medications, especially before they are given to the client
Medication Dispensers: blister packs and medication organizers (modules) - always be sure sure to follow the days, dates and times on the labeling (blister pack dates generally start at the bottom of the packaging and work their way up, with morning to the left and bedtime to the right). If the blister pack or organizer gets out of synch or is missing medications during your scheduled shift, do not substitute medications from alternate days, dates or times - immediately contact your Agape Supervisor for direction before giving any medications.
Medication Disposal: client’s unused and outdated medications should be deposed of in a Ziploc baggie and labeled “unused/old meds, client Name, date” (when medications are already out of their packaging). Partially used blister packs, medication bottles, creams and liquid medications should be stored in a paper or plastic bag and likewise labeled as above. Unused and outdated medications should be stored out of the way and in a safe, secure location until they are picked up by an Agape Supervisor or transported to a disposal site by a designated person. Unused and outdated narcotic medications (liquid or pills) must be maintained in a secure location with your Agape Supervisor immediately notified for disposal directives (this situation typically occurs upon client’s death, hospitalization or relocating into a care facility).
MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION - QUIZ