5123:2-6-02. Self-administration or assistance with self-administration of prescribed medication

(A) An individual who can safely self-administer prescribed medication or receive assistance with self-administration of prescribed medication has the right to self-administer or receive assistance with self-administration.

(B) Prior to restriction of an individual's right to self-administer prescribed medication, the service and support administrator or qualified intellectual disability professional, as applicable, shall ensure that a department-approved self-administration assessment is completed for an individual who requires prescribed medication administration. Based on the outcome of the self-administration assessment, the individual plan or individual service plan, as applicable, shall document when the individual cannot safely self-administer prescribed medication or receive assistance with self-administration of prescribed medication. The service and support administrator or qualified intellectual disability professional, as applicable, shall ensure that the self-administration assessment is reviewed annually to confirm continued need for support for medication administration. A new self-administration assessment shall be completed at least once every three years or more often when there is a change that affects the individual's medication routine such as a change in medication route, service setting, service provider, or health status.

(C) Each individual plan or individual service plan shall indicate when the individual is able to safely self-administer prescribed medication or receive assistance with self-administration of prescribed medication including:

(1) When the individual is able to safely self-administer medication independently;

(2) When the individual is able to safely self-administer medication with assistance; and

(3) When the individual is not able to successfully self-administer medication with or without assistance and include a statement of how medication administration will be completed.

(D) When the self-administration assessment indicates an individual cannot safely self- administer prescribed medication or receive assistance with self-administration of prescribed medication:

(1) Further assessment shall be conducted to determine exactly what specific steps of self-administration of medication the individual is able to safely complete. The individual shall participate in these steps under the supervision of developmental disabilities personnel who have current certification in health- related activities and prescribed medication administration and have received individual-specific training.

(2) The details of the individual's specific abilities and the specific necessary support from licensed or certified personnel to complete medication administration shall be noted in the individual plan or individual service plan.

(E) Developmental disabilities personnel who are not specifically authorized by other provisions of the Revised Code to provide assistance in the self-administration of prescribed medication may, under section 5123.651 of the Revised Code and this rule, provide that assistance as part of the services they provide to individuals. To provide assistance with self-administration of prescribed medication, developmental disabilities personnel are not required to be trained or certified in accordance with section 5123.42 of the Revised Code and rules 5123:2-6-05 and 5123:2-6-06 of the Administrative Code.

(F) When assisting in the self-administration of prescribed medication, developmental disabilities personnel shall take only the following actions as needed and identified in the individual plan or individual service plan:

(1) Remind an individual when to take the medication and observe the individual to ensure that the individual follows the directions on the container;

(2) Assist an individual by taking the medication in its container from the area where it is stored, handing the container with the medication in it to the individual, and opening the container, if the individual is physically unable to open the container; or

(3) Assist, on request by or with the consent of, a physically impaired but mentally alert individual, with removal of oral prescribed medication or topical prescribed medication from the container and physically assist with the individual's taking or applying of the medication. If an individual is physically unable to place a dose of oral prescribed medication to the individual's mouth without spilling or dropping it, developmental disabilities personnel may place the dose in another container and place that container to the individual's mouth.

(G) When an individual has been assessed as able to safely self-administer prescribed medication or self-administer prescribed medication with assistance, developmental disabilities personnel are not authorized to verify accuracy of medication being taken by the individual on a routine basis unless specified in the individual plan or individual service plan. When there is reason to question the individual's self-medication skills, a new self-administration assessment shall be completed.

Replaces: 5123:2-6-02

Effective: 11/6/2017
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 11/06/2022
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 5123.04, 5123.42, 5123.46, 5123.65
Rule Amplifies: 5123.04, 5123.41 to 5123.47, 5123.65 , 5123.651, 5126.36
Prior Effective Dates: 09/30/1993 (Emer.), 12/29/1993, 05/16/1994 (Emer.), 08/06/1994, 06/30/1995, 02/14/2000, 10/22/2003 (Emer.), 01/08/2004, 06/01/2016