When a resident is having a tough time—whether they are highly anxious, agitated, or in distress—a PRN ("as needed") medication is a powerful tool to help them feel better. But because these medications (especially psychotropic ones that affect mood or behavior) are so strong, the state has incredibly strict rules about how we give and document them. Lately, during chart reviews, we’ve noticed a common pattern: CRMAs are doing an awesome job documenting exactly when they give a PRN, but the...

Welcome back! In our March post, we took a deep dive into the foundational rules of medication safety in group home settings. Today, we are following up on that conversation by shifting our focus to a critical intersection: infection prevention and medication administration. These insights come straight from the field. After observing recent medication passes in our residential settings, it’s clear that while staff are dedicated and hardworking, small "habits" can accidentally compromise...

It’s been a busy few weeks for our community! Between routine audits and recent state surveys, one theme is coming through loud and clear: Infection control during a med pass is just as important as the medication itself. I recently sat in on a med pass observation where a surveyor was watching every single movement with a "white glove" mentality. While it can be nerve-wracking, it’s a great reminder that our habits are the first line of defense for our residents. Based on those observations...