N.J. Admin. Code § 5:27-13.5 - Administration of medications

(a) All medications administered by qualified persons shall be administered in accordance with prescriber orders, facility policy and all Federal and State laws, rules and regulations.

(b) Administration of medications is within the scope of practice and remains the responsibility of the registered professional nurse. A registered professional nurse may choose to delegate the task of administering medications in accordance with N.J.A.C. 13:37-6 to certified medication aides. When the registered professional nurse delegates the task of administering medications to certified medication aides, this delegation is based upon individual residents' needs and circumstances within specific limits. These limits shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. The administration of oral, ophthalmic, inhalant, nasal, rectal, vaginal, topical and injectable (subcutaneous) medications may be delegated. Residents receiving short-term scheduled medications (II-IV) for analgesia, and injections other than predrawn insulin, shall be reassessed by the registered professional nurse at least every 72 hours, in order to determine if the medication is still required;

2. The delegating registered professional nurse shall review with the certified medication aide medication actions and untoward effects for each drug to be administered. Pertinent information about medications' adverse effects, side effects, and potential interactions shall be incorporated into the care plan for each resident, with interventions to be implemented by the certified medication aide and other caregiving persons; and

3. A unit of use distribution system shall be developed and implemented.

(c) Each resident shall be identified prior to drug administration.

(d) Drugs prescribed for one resident shall not be administered to another resident.

(e) The certified medication aide shall report drug errors and adverse drug reactions immediately to the registered professional nurse who shall report the drug error or adverse drug reaction to the prescriber, and to the pharmacist, and who shall document the incident in the resident's record.

(f) At least weekly, the registered nurse shall review and sign off on any medications or additions to the medication administration record which were made by the certified medication aide at the request of and under the delegation of the registered nurse.

Notes

N.J. Admin. Code § 5:27-13.5