WAC 388-76-10450   Medication--Self-administration with assistance.  (1) For the purposes of this section "enabler" means a physical device used to facilitate a resident's self-administration of a prescribed or over-the-counter medication. Physical devices include, but are not limited to a medicine cup, glass, cup, spoons, bowl, prefilled syringes, syringes used to measure oral liquids, specially adapted table surfaces, drinking straw, piece of cloth, and the resident's hand.

     (2) The adult family home must ensure that the resident can:

     (a) Put the medication into their own mouth; or

     (b) Apply, inject, or instill the medications.

     (3) The home must:

     (a) Provide set-up assistance just before the resident takes or applies the medication; or

     (b) Only give oral medications through a gastrostomy or "g-tube" when ordered by the practitioner; and

     (c) Ensure the resident is aware they are taking a medication, however the resident does not have to name the medication, effects or side effects.

     (4) Self-administration with assistance:

     (a) Does not include shots or intravenous medications as defined in WAC 246-888-020, except for a prefilled insulin syringe;

     (b) May include steadying or guiding a resident's hand while applying or instilling medications such as ointments, eye, ear and nasal preparations, but does not include the practice of "hand-over-hand" (total physical assistance) administration;

     (c) May include transferring the medications from one container to another to make a single dose such as pouring a liquid from the medication container to a calibrated spoon or measuring cup;

     (d) May include reminding or coaching the resident to take their medication;

     (e) Does not include direct assistance with intravenous and injectable medications except the home may carry a prefilled insulin syringe which the resident can administer;

     (f) May include using an enabler; and

     (g) Could include delivering a prefilled insulin syringe to the resident if the resident independently self-administers the injection per WAC 246-888-020.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.128.040 and chapters 70.128 and 74.34 RCW. 07-21-080, § 388-76-10450, filed 10/16/07, effective 1/1/08.]