AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

February 7, 2000

AASA: BH #2000-003
RE: Medication Assistance WAC 246-888

Dear Boarding Home Provider:

This letter is to inform you that the Medication Assistance WAC 246-888 pertaining to medication assistance in the community based settings became final on January 17, 2000. The Board of Pharmacy established these rules and result from 1998 Legislation which allows individuals in community based settings to receive assistance with self-administering medications from non-practitioners. The intent of the rule is to provide guidance to you on the subject of medication assistance.

• Significant points of the medication assistance rules include:
  Medication assistance includes using an enabler, or placing the medication in the resident’s hand.
• A non-practitioner can transfer a medication from one container to another for the purpose of an individual dose. Examples include: pouring a liquid medication from the medication container to a calibrated spoon or medication cup.
• The resident must be able to put the medication into his/her mouth or apply or instill the medication.
• Residents who have been determined to be a category A, may direct caregivers to assist with applying or instilling oral, skin, nose, eye, and ear preparations.
• Assistance with the administration of intravenous and injectable medications are not allowed.
• Assistance must occur immediately prior to the ingestion or application of a medication.
• A practitioner makes a decision about the appropriateness of medication assistance for a resident by consulting with the resident or the resident’s representative and the facility.
• Practitioners include physicians, dentists, nurses and pharmacists.
• The caregiver may alter a medication by crushing, mixing, etc., but the resident must be aware that the medication is being altered or added to food.
• A pharmacist or other qualified practitioner must determine it is safe to alter a medication. This must be documented on the prescription container, or in the resident’s record.

There have been no major changes from Interim Guideline #25 “Medication Assistance” which was mailed to you in August 1998. I have enclosed a copy of the Medication Assistance WAC 246-888. If you have any questions, please contact your area manager.

Sincerely,

Patricia Lashway, Director
Residential Care Services
Enclosures

cc: Kathy Leitch, Director, Home and Community Services
Area Managers