(a)

1. (1) Each assisted living facility must have written policies and procedures to ensure, and facilities must ensure, that residents receive medications as appropriate.
2. (2) In-service training on facility medications policies and procedures (see 20 CAR § 410-403(a)(2)(A) and (b)) shall be provided at least annually for all facility personnel/staff/employees supervising.

(b)

1. (1) Facilities must comply with applicable state laws and rules governing the administering of medications and restrictions applicable to nonlicensed personnel/staff/employees.
2. (2) The facility owner or owners, personnel/staff/employees, or others acting on behalf of the facility are prohibited from administering, repackaging, or relabeling any resident medication, provided, however, that administration of medication may be performed to the extent permitted by the state Nurse Practice Act and interpretations thereto by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.

(d)

1. (1) Residents must be familiar with their medications and comprehend administration instructions.
2. (2) Facility staff shall provide assistance to enable residents to self-administer medications.

3. (3) For clarification, examples for acceptable practices related to an unlicensed facility staff person assisting with the self-administration of oral medication are listed below:

   1. (A) The medication regimen on the container label may be read to the resident;
   2. (B)

(i) A larger sterile or disposable container may be provided to the resident if needed to prevent spillage.

1. (ii) The containers shall not be shared by residents;

   1. (C) The resident may be reminded of the time to take the medication and be observed to ensure that the resident follows the directions on the container; and

   2. (D)

      1. (i) Facility staff may assist the resident in the self-administration of oral medication by taking the medication in its container from the area where it is stored and handing the container with the medication in it to the resident.
      2. (ii) In the presence of the resident, facility staff may remove the container cap or loosen the packaging.
      3. (iii) If the resident is physically impaired but cognitively able (has awareness with perception, reasoning, intuition, and memory), facility staff, upon request by or with the consent of the resident, may assist the resident in removing oral medication from the container and in taking the medication.
      4. (iv) If the resident is physically unable to place a dose of oral medication into his or her mouth without spilling or dropping it, facility staff may place the dose of medication into another container and place that container to the mouth of the resident.

(e)

1. (1) Changes in dosage or schedule of the medication shall be made only upon the authorization of the resident’s attending physician or advanced practice nurse.
2. (2) Any such authorization shall be documented by the facility in the resident’s record.