LAW
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Ohio Laws and Rules
(A) The provider shall set his or her own policy regarding whether or not he or she will administer medication. Only the provider, the emergency caregiver or the substitute caregiver may administer medications.
(B) If the provider chooses to administer medication, food supplements, or modified diets, the county department of job and family services (CDJFS) shall provide the JFS 01644 “Permission to Administer Medication” (rev. 8/2008). The provider shall meet the following requirements:
(1) The provider shall have the caretaker complete and sign box one of the JFS 01644, which shall be valid for no longer than twelve months. The provider shall also secure and follow either written instructions of a licensed physician, a physician’s assistant, an advanced practice nurse (APN) certified to prescribe medications or a licensed dentist on the JFSS 01644, or a prescription label as long as the following are met:
(a) The label contains the child’s full name, a current date (within the last twelve months), the exact dosage to be given and the means of administration;
(b) The prescription label is attached to the original container.
(2) Without written instructions from a physician, a physician’s assistant or APN, providers shall administer only nonprescription, fever reducing medications that do not contain aspirin, or cough or cold medications that do not contain codeine. When administering nonprescription medications the following requirements shall be met:
(a) The provider shall secure and follow written instructions from the caretaker on the JFS 01644 The instructions shall not exceed manufacturers’ recommended dosages.
(b) Medications shall be in the original container with the original label attached. The label must specify appropriate dosages based on the child’s age or weight.
(c) The full name of the child, who is to receive the medication, shall be printed on the container.
(d) The provider shall administer the medication for no more than three consecutive days in a fourteen calendar day period.
(3) The provider may apply nonprescription topical products or lotions if the following are met:
(a) The provider shall secure written instructions from the caretaker on the JFS 01644. The caretaker shall complete box one of the JFS 01644 which shall be valid for no longer than twelve months.
(b) The provider shall follow manufacturers’ guidelines regarding application;
(c) When used for skin irritations, such as diaper rash, the topical product shall be applied to the child by the provider for no longer than fourteen consecutive days at any one period of use.
(C) When administering medication, food supplements, modified diets, the provider shall:
(1) Assure that the child has received the medication, food supplement, or topical product at least once prior to the provider administering a dose, to avoid unexpected reactions.
(2) Assure that the medication, food supplement, or modified diet is not administered for any period of time beyond the date indicated by the physician, physician’s assistant, advanced practice nurse certified to prescribe medication, or licensed dentist, on the prescription label or for twelve months whichever comes first.
(3) Verify each administration or application of medication by documenting it on the JFS 01644. Application of nonprescription topical products and lotions used only as a preventative measure do not need to be documented.
(4) Assure that nonprescription medication dosages administered do not exceed prescribed dosages or the manufacturer’s recommended dosages.
(5) Assure that a separate JFS 01644 is used for each medication to be administered.
(6) Assure that completed JFS 01644 forms are kept on file at the provider’s home for review by the CDJFS for at least one year following the administration of the medication, food supplement, or modified diet.
(D) When storing medications the provider shall:
(1) Assure that all medication and food supplements are immediately and safely stored, except that an inhaler or medication may be available to a school child with a special health condition, who may need these for an emergency.
(2) Assure that all medications can be quickly accessed and removed in case of an emergency that would require evacuation from the premises.
(3) Assure that all school children have immediate access to personal inhalers.
(4) Refrigerate medication as needed immediately upon arrival at the provider’s home. Store medication in a separate container to prevent contamination with foods.
(5) Keep medications out of the reach of children.
(6) Remove all medications from the home when no longer needed or expired.
(E) Any medication errors that occur shall be documented on the JFS 01299 “Incident/Injury Report” (rev/ 6/2007). A medication error includes an error in:
(1) The individual to whom it was administered.
(2) The medication that was administered.
(3) The dosage of medication administered.
(4) The time the medication was administered.
(5) The route by which the medication was administered.
Effective: 08/14/2008
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 11/30/2007 and 03/31/2013
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 5104.011
Rule Amplifies: 5104.011
Prior Effective Dates: 4/1/82, 5/20/83, 9/1/86, 2/15/88, 5/1/89, 10/1/97 (Emer.), 12/30/97, 4/1/03