1. Medication Administration for Resource Parents

2. Medication Administration Guiding Principles
Caregivers of children will inevitably give them medication at some point. It is crucial caregivers are informed of the guiding principles for medication administration.

3. Responsibilities in Administering Medications
It is important that Resource Parents are fully informed of their responsibilities in administering medications.

4. Legal Issues
Legal issues in medication administration include children’s rights, refusal of medication, and confidentiality.

5. Obtaining Information about Medications
Resource Parents must be fully informed about any medication they give a child.
When medication is obtained, use the reference sheet from the pharmacy.
Other sources of information include the doctor, pharmacist, nurse, current drug reference book, Internet or DCS Health Advocacy Nurse.

6. The Importance of Having Information about Medications
To be familiar with common medications given to the child
To learn about new medications prescribed for the child
To understand why the medication is prescribed and learn of side effects
To be able to observe and report if there is a beneficial change
To be able to observe and report side effects causing harm or discomfort

7. Purpose of Prescribing Medications
Maintain Health
Treat Disease
Relieve Symptoms
Prevent Disease
Alter Body Processes
Diagnose Disease

8. Actions and Effects of Medication

9. Drug Overdose
A drug overdose is the accidental or intentional use of a drug or medicine in an amount that is higher than is normally used. The amount of a drug needed to cause an overdose varies with the type of drug and the person taking it.

10. Tennessee Poison Control Center

11. Five Rights of Medication Administration
Right Person
Right Drug
Right Dose
Right Time
Right Route

12. What do you do?
Angela is 16 ½ years old and has been prescribed Celexa for depression. The medication was started two weeks ago at her appointment with a nurse practitioner at the community mental health center. This morning when you get Angela’s Celexa ready, she informs you that she does not want to take it anymore.

13. Proper Procedures for Administering Medications
Oral Tablets & Capsules
Oral Liquid Medication
Topical Medication
Nasal Medications
Eye Drops/Ointments
Ear Drops
Inhalant Medications
Rectal Medications
Vaginal Medications
Auto-Injectors for Allergic Emergencies
Subcutaneous Administration of Medication (Insulin)

14. Documentation
Resource Parents must keep a record for each child on prescription medications.

15. Safe Storage and Control of Medication
Must be single locked at minimum at all times
Must be stored in containers with original labels
If requires refrigeration must be kept cold
Cannot be left out for child to take later
Must be stored to avoid access by child

16. Disposal of Medication
Medication that is stopped, expired, unidentifiable or missing or unreadable label must be destroyed
Medication that is refused or contaminated must be destroyed
Problems with medication must be reported to prescribing provider or pharmacy

17. Disposal of Medication
Do not flush medication down the toilet due to the risk of contamination of area streams and water sources.
Ask your pharmacist if the pharmacy will accept old medicines back from patients.
Check to see whether your area has a community household hazardous waste collection program.

18. Disposal of Medication
When disposing of medication in the garbage:
Keep the medication in the original container. Scratch out your name for security purposes.
Add a small amount of water to pills, or an absorbent material like flour or cat litter to liquid medications, to discourage their use.
Put the medication container in a paper bag or some other type of container to conceal, then toss as close to your trash pickup time as possible.

19. Medication Errors Wrong Person Wrong Medication Wrong Dosage
Wrong Time
Wrong Route

20. When a Medication Error Occurs
Notify the prescribing provider and the DCS Case Manager
Follow all instructions given by the prescribing provider and write down any problems you see
If the child is in acute distress, call 911 or your emergency response number

21. Components of Informed Consent
Diagnosis
Nature of Medication
Name of Medication
Dosage and Frequency of Medication
Expected Benefits
Possible Risks and Side Effects
Available Alternatives
Expected Outcome

22. Informed Consent for Psychotropic Medications
Youth Age 16 Years and Older
Biological Parent or Guardian
DCS Health Advocacy Nurse

23. What do you do?
Jamie is 8 years old and was placed in your home last evening. The DCS Case Manager left a prescription bottle of Ritalin when he dropped Jamie off and instructed you to give Jamie one pill every morning. This morning you are preparing to give Jamie his medicine and you realize there are only two pills left in the bottle. You also remember from your medication administration training that you are supposed to have a signed Informed Consent for Psychotropic Medication and the Case Manager did not give you one.

24. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION!
Medication Administration for Resource Parents