Monitoring medication is taken by the client:

        1. Regulations do not require successful completion of a QMAP course if staff only “monitors” and does not “administer” medications to the client:

•       Reminding a specific individual client to take medication at the time ordered;
•       Delivering a container of medication lawfully labeled to a specific client, if needed;
•       Observing a specific individual client to make sure s/he took medications;
•       Making a written record of each medication, with the note “monitored”;

        2. Administering medication to a client:

•       Assisting a client in the ingestion, application, inhalation, or Insertion of a rectal or vaginal medication according to written directions of an authorized practitioner;
•       Handing staff-prepared medications to a client;
•       Making a written record of each medication administered, including both prescription and over the counter drugs.

        3. Self-administration of medication by a client:

•       “Self-administration” means the ability of a person to take medication independently without any assistance from another person. It is okay to make a general “reminder” to self-administering clients;
•       The client is completely responsible for taking his/her own medications. Staff is not involved other than to ensure the safety of other clients and encourage notification of updated information;
•       There is no requirement for daily documentation of self-administered medication;
•       There should be a note on the plan of care at least once yearly, updated as appropriate, documenting the facility’s knowledge of medications being self-administered;
•       If a facility administers some medications and a client self-administers some medications the facility must have written physician approval for each self-administered medication.