General Requirements:
14.1 An assisted living residence shall not allow an employee or volunteer to administer or assist with
administering medication to a resident unless such individual is a practitioner, a nurse, a qualified
medication administration person (QMAP) or a certified nurse medication aide (CNA – Med)
acting within his or her scope of practice.
14.2 For purposes of this section 14, a practitioner is “authorized” if state law allows the practitioner to
prescribe treatment, medication or medical devices.
14.3 An assisted living residence shall not allow a QMAP or a CNA-Med to assist a resident with
medication administration unless the resident is able to consent and participate in the
consumption of the medication.
14.4 If a CNA-Med is used to administer or assist with administering medication to a resident, the
assisted living residence shall ensure that the CNA-Med complies with the medication
administration procedures listed in this section 14, except that a CNA-Med may perform
additional tasks associated with medication administration as authorized by his or her
certification.
14.5 An assisted living residence that utilizes qualified medication administration persons shall comply
with the requirements of 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 24, Medication Administration Regulations, in
addition to the requirements set forth in this section 14.
14.6 The assisted living residence shall comply with all federal and state laws and regulations relating
to procurement, storage, administration and disposal of controlled substances.
14.7 The assisted living residence shall ensure that each resident receives proper administration
and/or monitoring of medications.
14.8 The assisted living residence shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with all safety
requirements regarding oxygen use, handling and storage as set forth in sections 22.29 through
22.34 of this chapter.
14.9 No medication shall be administered by a qualified medication administration person on a pro re
nata (PRN) or “as needed” basis except:
(A) In a residential treatment facility that is licensed to provide services for the mentally ill;
(B) Where the resident understands the purpose of the medication, is capable of voluntarily
requesting the medication, and the assisted living residence has documentation from an
authorized practitioner that the use of such medication in this manner is appropriate; or
(C) Where specifically allowed by statute.
14.10 Unless otherwise allowed by statute, the assisted living residence shall not permit a qualified
medication administration person to perform any of the following tasks:
(A) Intravenous, intramuscular or subcutaneous injections,
(B) Gastrostomy or jejunostomy tube feeding,
(C) Chemical debridement,
(D) Administration of medication for purposes of restraint,
(E) Titration of oxygen,
(F) Decision making regarding PRN or “as needed” medication administration,
(G) Assessment of residents or use of judgment including, but not limited to, medication
effect,
(H) Pre-pouring of medication, or
(I) Masking or deceiving administration of medication including, but not limited to, concealing
in food or liquid.
14.11 Only medication that has been ordered by an authorized practitioner shall be prepared for or
administered to residents.
Training, Competency and Supervision
14.12 The assisted living residence shall ensure that all qualified medication administration persons are
trained in and adhere to the following medication administration procedures:
(A) Identification of the right resident for each medication administration or monitoring by
asking for the resident’s name or comparing the resident to a photograph maintained
specifically for medication administration identification,
(B) Providing the correct medication by the correct route at the correct time and in the correct
dose as ordered by the authorized practitioner, and
(C) Implementing any changes in medication orders upon receipt.
14.13 The assisted living residence shall designate a QMAP supervisor who is a nurse, practitioner or
meets the requirements of a qualified medication administration person.
(A) The QMAP supervisor shall, before initial assignment of each qualified medication
administration person, conduct a competency assessment with direct observation of all
medication administration tasks that the QMAP will be assigned to perform.
(1) Whenever a QMAP is assigned additional medication administration tasks, the
QMAP supervisor shall conduct a competency assessment with direct
observation of each new task that the QMAP will be assigned.
Resident Rights
14.14 All personal medication is the property of the resident and no resident shall be required to
surrender the right to possess or self-administer any personal medication unless an authorized
practitioner has determined that the resident lacks the decisional capacity to possess or selfadminister such medication safely.
14.15 The assisted living residence shall ensure each resident’s right to privacy and dignity with respect
to medication monitoring and administration.
14.16 Each resident shall have the right to refuse medications.
Orders
14.17 The assisted living residence shall ensure that each authorized practitioner’s order for medication
includes the correct name of the resident, date of the order, medication name, strength of
medication, dosage to administer, route of administration along with timing and/or frequency of
administration, any specific considerations, if substitutions are allowed or restricted, and the
signature of the practitioner.
14.18 All medication orders shall be documented in writing by the authorized prescribing practitioner.
Verbal orders for medication shall not be valid unless received by a licensed staff member who
is authorized to receive and transcribe such orders.
14.19 Any orders received from medical staff on behalf of an authorized practitioner must be
countersigned by said practitioner as soon as possible.
14.20 The assisted living residence shall contact the authorized practitioner for clarification of any
orders which are incomplete or unclear and obtain new orders in writing.
14.21 The assisted living residence shall be responsible for complying with authorized practitioner
orders associated with medication administration except for those medications which a resident
self-administers.
14.22 The assisted living residence shall coordinate care and medication administration with external
providers.
Medication Reminder Boxes
14.23 For medication reminder boxes that the assisted living residence is responsible for, the assistedliving residence shall ensure that the box contains:
(A) No more than a 14 calendar day supply of medications at a time,
(B) No PRN medications including PRN controlled substances,
(C) Only medication intended for oral ingestion, and
(D) No medications that require administration within specific timeframes unless the
medication reminder box is specifically designed and labeled with specific instructions to
address this situation.
14.24 Medication reminder boxes shall be stored in a manner that ensures access for the designated
resident and prevents access from unauthorized persons.
Medication Preparation and Handling
14.25 The assisted living residence shall maintain medication storage and preparation areas which are
clean and free of clutter.
14.26 All reusable medical devices shall be cleaned according to the manufacturer instructions and
appropriately stored.
14.27 No stock medications shall be stored or administered by qualified medication administration
persons.
A) All over-the-counter medication prescribed for administration shall be labeled or marked
with the individual resident’s full name.
14.28 The assisted living residence shall ensure that qualified medication administration persons are
trained in and apply nationally recognized protocols for basic infection control and prevention
when preparing and administering medications.
Record Keeping
14.29 All prescribed and PRN medications shall be listed and recorded on a medication administration
record (MAR) which contains the name and date of birth of the resident, the resident’s room
location, any known allergies, and the name and telephone number of the resident’s authorized
practitioner.
(A) The medication administration record shall reflect the name, strength, dosage and mode
of administration of each medication, the date the order was received, the date and time
of administration, any special considerations related to administration and the signature
or initial of the person administering the medication.
(B) As part of the medication administration record, the assisted living residence shall
maintain a legible list of the names of the persons utilizing the record for medication
administration, along with each of their signatures and, if used, their initials.
(C) Each qualified medication administration person, nurse or practitioner shall accurately
document each medication administration or monitoring event at the time the event is
completed for each resident.
(D) Each qualified medication administration person, nurse or authorized practitioner shall
document accurate information in the medication administration record including any
medication omissions, refusals and resident reported responses to medications.
14.30 The assisted living residence shall maintain a record on a separate sheet for each resident
receiving a controlled substance which contains the name of the controlled substance, strength
and dosage, date and time administered, resident name, name of authorized practitioner and the
quantity of the controlled substance remaining.
14.31 The administrator and the QMAP supervisor shall, on a quarterly basis, audit the accuracy and
completeness of the medication administration records, controlled substance list, medication error
reports and medication disposal records. Any irregularities shall be investigated and resolved.
The results of the audits shall be documented and routinely included as part of the assisted living
residence’s Quality Management Program assessment and review.
Reporting
14.32 The assisted living residence shall have policies and procedures for documenting, investigating,
reporting and responding to any errors related to accurate accounting of controlled substances
and /or medication administration.
14.33 The assisted living residence shall ensure that the resident’s authorized practitioner and
resident’s legal representative is promptly notified of:
(A) A decline from a resident’s baseline status,
(B) A resident’s pattern of refusal,
(C) A resident’s repetitive request for and use of PRN medication,
(D) Any observed or reported unfavorable reactions to medications,
(E) The administration of medications used to emergently treat angina, and
(F) Medication errors that affect the resident.
Self-Administration
14.34 The assisted living residence shall compile a list of all resident medications along with any known
allergies and verify the accuracy and completeness of the list with the resident and authorized
practitioner at the time of admission.
14.35 The assisted living residence shall review this list with the resident and authorized practitioner at
least once a year and maintain documentation of such review.
14.36 The assisted living residence shall report non-compliance, misuse or inappropriate use of known
medications by a resident who is self-administering to that resident’s authorized practitioner.
Medication Storage
14.37 All medications shall be stored in the original prescribed/manufacturer containers with the
exception of medications placed in medication reminder boxes pursuant to section 14.23.
14.38 All medications shall be stored in a locked cabinet, cart or storage area when unattended by
qualified medication administration persons or other licensed staff.
14.39 Controlled substances shall be kept in double lock storage.
(A) Two individuals who are either qualified medication administration persons, nurses, or
practitioners shall jointly count all controlled substances at the end of each shift and sign
documentation regarding the results of the count at the time it occurs. Any discrepancy in
the controlled substance count shall be immediately reported to the administrator.
14.40 All refrigerated medications shall be stored in a refrigerator that does not contain food and that is
not accessible to residents.
(A) All medication stored in a refrigerator shall be clearly labeled with the resident’s name
and prescribing information.
14.41 The assisted living residence shall not store or retain for more than 30 calendar days any
outdated, discontinued and/or expired medications.
14.42 Outdated, discontinued and/or expired medications that are not returned to the resident or legal
representative shall be stored in a locked storage area until properly disposed of.
(A) Any controlled substance medications which are designated for destruction shall be kept
in a separate locked container within the locked storage area until they are destroyed.
14.43 The assisted living residence shall conduct, on a monthly basis, a joint two person audit of
medications designated for disposal.
(A) At least one of the persons conducting the audit shall be a qualified medication
administration person.
(B) The results of the audit shall be documented and signed by both staff members
conducting the audit.
(C) Audit records shall be maintained for a minimum of three years. Any discrepancy in the
list and count of medications designated for disposal shall be immediately reported to the
administrator.
Medication Destruction and Disposal
14.44 Medication shall be returned to the resident or resident’s legal representative, upon discharge or
death, except that return of medication to the resident may be withheld if specified in the care
plan of a resident of a facility which is licensed to provide services specifically for the mentally ill
or if a practitioner has determined that the resident lacks the decisional capacity to possess or
administer such medication safely.
(A) A resident or resident’s legal representative may authorize the assisted living residence
to return unused medications or medical supplies and used or unused medical devices to
a prescription drug outlet or donate to a nonprofit entity in accordance with § 12-42.5-
133, C.R.S., and 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2, Part 7.202.
(B) The assisted living residence shall request and maintain signed documentation from the
resident or resident’s legal representative regarding the return or donation of all
medications, medical supplies or devices.
14.45 The assisted living residence shall have policies and procedures regarding the destruction and
disposal of outdated, unused, discontinued and/or expired medications which are not returned to
the resident or legal representative. At a minimum, the policies and procedures shall include the
following requirements:
(A) Medication shall be destroyed in the presence of two individuals, each of whom are either
a qualified medication administration person, nurse, or practitioner;
(B) All medications shall be destroyed in a manner that renders the substances totally
irretrievable;
(C) There shall be documentation which identifies the medications, the date of destruction
and the signatures of the witnesses performing the medication destruction; and
(D) All destroyed medications shall be disposed of in compliance with sections 24.2 and 24.3
regarding medical waste disposal.