Section 388-877A-0360. Recovery support services requiring program-specific certification—Medication support services.

Medication support services are recovery support services that require program-specific certification. These services are performed for the purpose of facilitating individuals' medication adherence.

(1) Medication support services are certified by the department's division of behavioral health and recovery only when the agency:

(a) Is also certified to provide program-specific psychiatric medication services (see WAC 388-877A-0180); or

(b) Has an agreement with another behavioral health agency certified to provide psychiatric medication services. The agreement must specify the responsibility for medication support services, and the documentation of the requirements.

(2) Medication support services occur face-to-face and:

(a) Include one-on-one cueing, observing, and encouraging an individual to take medication as prescribed.

(b) Include reporting any pertinent information related to the individual's adherence to the medication back to the agency that is providing psychiatric medication services.

(c) May take place at any location and for as long as it is clinically necessary.

(d) Are provided to any individual who:

(i) Has a history of low medication adherence;

(ii) Is newly on medication; or

(iii) Is new to the specific medication prescribed.

(3) An agency providing medication support services must:

(a) Ensure services are provided by or under the supervision of a mental health professional.

(b) Ensure that the staff positions responsible for providing medication monitoring and/or delivery services are clearly identified in the agency's medication support services policy.

(c) Have appropriate policies and procedures in place when the agency providing medication support services maintains and/or delivers medication to the individual. The policies and procedures must address:

(i) The maintenance of a medication log documenting medications that are received, prescribed, and dispensed.

(ii) Reasonable precautions that need to be taken when transporting medications to the intended individual and to assure staff safety during the transportation.

(iii) The prevention of contamination of medication during delivery, if delivery is provided.

(d) Ensure that all medications kept by staff in the agency are safely and securely stored as follows:

(i) Medication must be maintained in locked cabinets within a well-illuminated, locked, and properly ventilated room.

(ii) Medication kept for individuals on medication administration or self-administration programs must be clearly labeled and stored separately from medication samples kept on site.

(iii) Medication marked "for external use only" must be stored separately from oral or injectable medications.

(iv) Refrigerated food or beverages used in the administration of medications must be kept separate from the refrigerated medications by the use of trays or other designated containers.

(v) Syringes and sharp objects must be properly stored and disposed of safely.

(vi) Refrigerated medications must be maintained at the required temperatures.

(e) Ensure that outdated medications are disposed of in accordance with the rules of the state board of pharmacy, and ensure that no outdated medications are retained.

(f) Ensure that the individual's clinical record contains:

(i) The individual service plan, including documentation of medication support services.

(ii) Documentation of observations on the individual's behavior indicating the effects, interactions, and side effects of the prescribed medication, as necessary.

(iii) Documentation of regular reviews of the individual's adherence to the medication support plan as reflected in the individual service plan.

(iv) Documentation of reports to the prescriber about medication adherence and/or side effects.

[Statutory Authority: Chapters 70.02, 70.96A, 71.05, 71.24, 71.34, 74.50 RCW, RCW 74.08.090, 43.20A.890, and 42 C.F.R. Part 8. WSR 13-12-053, § 388-877A-0360, filed 5/31/13, effective 7/1/13.]

Chapters 70.02, 70.96A, 71.05, 71.24, 71.34, 74.50 RCW, RCW 74.08.090, 43.20A.890, and 42 C.F.R. Part 8. WSR 13-12-053, § 388-877A-0360, filed 5/31/13, effective 7/1/13.

Rules

388-877A-0180,