§ 79635. Nursing Service -Administration of Medications and Treatments.

(a) Medications and treatments shall be administered as follows:

(1) No medication or treatment shall be administered except on the order of a person lawfully authorized to give such an order.

(2) Medications and treatments shall be administered as prescribed.

(3) Tests and measurement of vital signs, upon which administration of medications or treatments are conditioned, shall be performed as required and the results recorded.

(4) Preparation of doses for more than one scheduled administration time shall not be permitted.

(5) All medications and treatments shall be administered only by licensed medical or licensed nursing personnel with the following exceptions:

(6) Unlicensed employees may, under the direct supervision of licensed nursing or licensed medical personnel, during training or after completion of training and demonstrated evidence of competence, administer the following:

(A) Medical shampoos and baths.

(B) Laxative suppositories and laxative enemas.

(C) Nonlegend topical ointments, creams, lotions, and solutions.

(7) Medications shall be administered as soon as possible, but no more than two hours after doses are prepared, and shall be administered by the same person who prepares the doses for administration. Doses shall be administered within one hour of the prescribed time unless otherwise indicated by the prescriber.

(8) Patients shall be identified by wristband or other established means of identification prior to administration of a drug or treatment.

(9) Drugs may be administered in the absence of a specific duration of therapy on a licensed prescriber's new drug order if the facility implements its stop order policy for such drugs. The prescriber shall be contacted prior to discontinuing therapy as established by stop order policy.

(b) No medication shall be used for any patient other than the patient for whom it was prescribed.

(c) The time and dose of the drug or treatment administered to the patient shall be recorded in the patient's individual medication record by the person who administers the drug or treatment. Recording shall include the date, the time, and the dosage, and route of administration or injection site of the medication or type of the treatment. Initials may be used, provided that the signature of the person administering the medication or treatment is also recorded on the medication or treatment record.

(d) Oxygen equipment shall be maintained as follows:

(1) Humidifier bottles on oxygen equipment shall be changed and sterilized or replaced at least every 24 hours or, if a closed system, in accordance with the manufacturer's directions.

(2) Only sterile distilled, demineralized or deionized water shall be used in humidifier bottles.

HISTORY

1. New section filed 6-10-94; operative 1-1-96 pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 1250 (Register 94, No. 23).

Note

Note: Authority cited: Sections 208(a) and 1267.10(a), Health and Safety Code. Reference: Sections 1250(j) and 1254, Health and Safety Code.