4.14 ICF – Self Medication Programs

Purpose

The Self Medication Assessment ensures that the individual can safely accomplish medication administration and health-related activities. Every individual has the right to self-administer their medications and to do as many steps of the process as they can. The service provider is responsible for the safety of the individual.

Procedure

A Self Medication Assessment must be incorporated in the PCP; the team is responsible for considering the individuals’ safety. If they cannot safely self-administer medications, nursing or staff with Medication Administration Certification will need to aid or administer medications for the individual and if they are capable the individual can self-medicate as indicated in their PCP.

This assessment is to be completed in the setting where the individual takes their medications, this is to determine if they can safely take their medications in their own environment. It is recommended to be completed by a nurse who knows the individual. When possible, a second observer should be present to ensure results are indicative of the individual’s capacity to safely self-medicate. The assessment needs to be completed annually, and a new one should be completed if the individual experiences significant health changes, the medication packaging changes (bubble pack to bottle; pill to liquid), or there is a change in the usual medication routine.

Once the assessment is completed the PCP should specify and outline how medication administration will be done. The QIDP is responsible to ensure that the self-medication assessment information appears on the PCP accordingly.

If a self-medication goal is not appropriate, a Medication Participation/Identification goal could be written to assist in the possibility of gaining the necessary skills. The QIDP is then responsible for developing the program/goal for skill development in self-medication standards.

Last Revised: 4/29/22