1. (a) No medication shall be given without a written order by a physician or dentist.

2. (b)

   1. (1) All medications shall be given by authorized nursing personnel.
   2. (2) The administrator or his or her appointed assistant shall be responsible for ensuring that authorized nursing personnel administer all medications ordered by a physician or dentist.
3. (c) Caution shall be observed in administrating medication so that the exact dosage of the prescribed medication is given as is ordered by the doctor or dentist.
4. (d) Each resident must have an individual container, bin, compartment, or drawer for the storage of his or her medications in the medication room except for stock medication and approved unit dose systems.

5. (e) The PRN medications on current doctor’s orders can be handled in one (1) of four (4) ways in a facility:

   1. (1) Use medication from the emergency box;
   2. (2) Have it as stock medication if it is a nonlegend drug;
   3. (3) Have it on an individual patient basis; or
   4. (4) Have pharmacist maintain a policy and procedure for twenty-four-hour emergency service from pharmacy.

6. (f)

   1. (1) Nursing personnel cannot transfer more than one (1) dose of medication from container to container.
   2. (2) Loading narcotic counters, preparing take-home supply of medications, incorporating supplies, etc., by nursing personnel are not permitted.

Codification Notes: “PRN” means pro re nata, a Latin phrase meaning “as necessary” or “as needed”.