Section 410IAC16.2-3.1-48. Drug therapy

   (a) Each resident's drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs. An unnecessary drug is any drug when used:

(1) in excessive dose (including duplicate drug therapy);

(2) for excessive duration;

(3) without adequate monitoring;

(4) without adequate indications for its use;

(5) in the presence of adverse consequences that indicate the dose should be reduced or discontinued; or

(6) any combination of the reasons in this subsection.

  (b) Based on a comprehensive assessment and care plan of a resident, the facility must ensure the following:

(1) Residents who have not used antipsychotic drugs are not given these drugs unless antipsychotic drug therapy is necessary to treat a specific condition as diagnosed and documented in the clinical record.

(2) Residents who use antipsychotic drugs receive gradual dose reductions and behavioral interventions, unless clinically contraindicated, in an effort to discontinue these drugs.

  (c) The facility must ensure the following:

(1) It is free of medication error rates of five percent (5%) or greater.

(2) Residents are free of any medication errors that jeopardize their health, safety, or welfare.

  (d) For purposes of IC 16-28-5-1, a breach of subsection (a), (b), or (c) is a deficiency. (Indiana State Department of Health; 410 IAC 16.2-3.1-48; filed Jan 10, 1997, 4:00 p.m.: 20 IR 1558, eff Apr 1, 1997; readopted filed Jul 11, 2001, 2:23 p.m.: 24 IR 4234; readopted filed May 22, 2007, 1:44 p.m.: 20070613-IR-410070141RFA; readopted filed Sep 11, 2013, 3:19 p.m.: 20131009-IR-410130346RFA)