A. A manager shall ensure that:
1. Policies and procedures for medication services include:
a. Procedures for preventing, responding to, and reporting a medication error;
b. Procedures for responding to and reporting an unexpected reaction to a
medication;
c. Procedures to ensure that a resident’s medication regimen and method of
administration is reviewed by a medical practitioner to ensure the medication
regimen meets the resident’s needs;
d. Procedures for:
i. Documenting, as applicable, medication administration and assistance in
the self-administration of medication; and
ii. Monitoring a resident who self-administers medication;
e. Procedures for assisting a resident in procuring medication; and
f. If applicable, procedures for providing medication administration or assistance in
the self-administration of medication off the premises; and
2. If a verbal order for a resident’s medication is received from a medical practitioner by the
assisted living facility:
a. The manager or a caregiver takes the verbal order from the medical practitioner,
b. The verbal order is documented in the resident’s medical record and
c. A written order verifying the verbal order is obtained from the medical
practitioner within 14 calendar days after receiving the verbal order.
B. If an assisted living facility provides medication administration, a manager shall ensure that:
1. Medication is stored by the assisted living facility;
2. Policies and procedures for medication administration:
a. Are reviewed and approved by a medical practitioner, registered nurse, or
pharmacist;
b. Include a process for documenting an individual, authorized, according to the
definition of “administer” in A.R.S. § 32-1901, by a medical practitioner to
administer medication under the direction of the medical practitioner;
c. Ensure that medication is administered to a resident only as prescribed; and
d. Cover the documentation of a resident’s refusal to take prescribed medication in
the resident’s medical record; and
3. A medication administered to a resident:
a. Is administered by an individual under the direction of a medical practitioner,
b. Is administered in compliance with a medication order, and
c. Is documented in the resident’s medical record.
C. If an assisted living facility provides assistance in the self-administration of medication, a
manager shall ensure that:
1. A resident’s medication is stored by the assisted living facility;
2. The following assistance is provided to a resident:
a. A reminder when it is time to take the medication;
b. Opening the medication container or medication organizer for the resident;
c. Observing the resident while the resident removes the medication from the
container or medication organizer;
d. Except when a resident uses a medication organizer, verifying that the
medication is taken as ordered by the resident’s medical practitioner by
confirming that:
i. The resident taking the medication is the individual stated on the
medication container label,
ii. The resident is taking the dosage of the medication stated on the
medication container label or according to an order from a medical
practitioner dated later than the date on the medication container label,
and
iii. The resident is taking the medication at the time stated on the medication
container label or according to an order from a medical practitioner dated
later than the date on the medication container label;
e. For a resident using a medication organizer, verifying that the resident is taking
the medication in the medication organizer according to the schedule specified on
the medical practitioner’s order; or
f. Observing the resident while the resident takes the medication;
3. Policies and procedures for assistance in the self-administration of medication are
reviewed and approved by a medical practitioner or nurse; and
4. Assistance in the self-administration of medication provided to a resident:
a. Is in compliance with an order, and
b. Is documented in the resident’s medical record.
D. A manager shall ensure that:
1. A current drug reference guide is available for use by personnel members, and
2. A current toxicology reference guide is available for use by personnel members.
E. A manager shall ensure that a resident’s medication organizer is only filled by
1. The resident;
2. The resident’s representative;
3. A family member of the resident;
4. A personnel member of a home health agency or hospice service agency; or
5. The manager or a caregiver who has been designated and is under the direction of a
medical practitioner, according to subsection (B)(2)(b).
F. When medication is stored by an assisted living facility, a manager shall ensure that:
1. Medication is stored in a separate locked room, closet, cabinet, or self-contained unit
used only for medication storage;
2. Medication is stored according to the instructions on the medication container; and
3. Policies and procedures are established, documented, and implemented for:
a. Receiving, storing, inventorying, tracking, dispensing, and discarding medication
including expired medication;
b. Discarding or returning prepackaged and sample medication to the manufacturer
if the manufacturer requests the discard or return of the medication;
c. A medication recall and notification of residents who received recalled
medication; and
d. Storing, inventorying, and dispensing controlled substances.
G. A manager shall ensure that a caregiver immediately reports a medication error or a resident’s
unexpected reaction to medication to the medical practitioner who ordered the medication or, if
the medical practitioner who ordered the medication is not available, another medical practitioner.
H. If medication is stored by a resident in the resident’s bedroom or residential unit, a manager shall
ensure that:
1. The medication is stored according to the resident’s service plan; or
2. If the medication is not being stored according to the resident’s service plan, the
resident’s service plan is updated to include how the medication is being stored by the
resident.