Ohio Revised Code
Chapter 5123 | Department of Developmental Disabilities
Section 5123.42 | Authorization for Workers to Administer Prescribed Medications, Perform Health-Related Activities, or Perform Tube Feedings.

Effective: October 12, 2016
Latest Legislation: House Bill 483, House Bill 158 - 131st General Assembly
(A) Developmental disabilities personnel who are not specifically authorized by other provisions of the Revised Code to administer medications or perform health-related activities may do so pursuant to this section as part of the specialized services the developmental disabilities personnel provide to individuals with developmental disabilities in the following categories:
(1) Recipients of early intervention, preschool, and school-age services offered or provided pursuant to this chapter or Chapter 5126. of the Revised Code;
(2) Recipients of adult services, if the services are received in a setting where seventeen or more individuals receive the services and the services are offered or provided pursuant to this chapter or Chapter 5126. of the Revised Code;
(3) Recipients of adult services, if the services are received in a setting where not more than sixteen individuals receive the services and the services are offered or provided pursuant to this chapter or Chapter 5126. of the Revised Code;
(4) Recipients of family support services offered or provided pursuant to this chapter or Chapter 5126. of the Revised Code;
(5) Recipients of services from certified supported living providers, if the services are offered or provided pursuant to this chapter or Chapter 5126. of the Revised Code;
(6) Recipients of residential support services from certified home and community-based services providers, if the services are received in a community living arrangement that includes not more than four individuals with developmental disabilities and the services are offered or provided pursuant to this chapter or Chapter 5126. of the Revised Code;
(7) Recipients of services not included in divisions (A)(1) to (6) of this section that are offered or provided pursuant to this chapter or Chapter 5126. of the Revised Code;
(8) Residents of a residential facility with not more than five resident beds;
(9) Residents of a residential facility with at least six resident beds.
(B)(1) In the case of individuals described in divisions (A)(1) to (9) of this section, developmental disabilities personnel may do all of the following without nursing delegation and without a certificate issued under section 5123.45 of the Revised Code:
(a) Activate a vagal nerve stimulator;
(b) Use an epinephrine autoinjector to treat anaphylaxis;
(c) Administer topical over-the-counter medications for the purpose of cleaning, protecting, or comforting the skin, hair, nails, teeth, or oral surfaces, but not for the purpose of treating an open wound or a condition that requires a medical diagnosis, including a fungal infection.
(2) The authority of developmental disabilities personnel to activate a vagal nerve stimulator, use an epinephrine autoinjector, and administer topical over-the-counter medications is subject to all of the following:
(a) To activate a vagal nerve stimulator or use an epinephrine autoinjector, developmental disabilities personnel shall successfully complete the training course or courses developed under section 5123.43 of the Revised Code for developmental disabilities personnel. Developmental disabilities personnel shall activate a vagal nerve stimulator or use an epinephrine autoinjector only as authorized by the training completed.
(b) The employer of developmental disabilities personnel shall ensure that the personnel have been trained specifically with respect to each individual for whom they activate a vagal nerve stimulator or use an epinephrine autoinjector. Developmental disabilities personnel shall not activate a vagal nerve stimulator or use an epinephrine autoinjector for any individual for whom they have not been specifically trained.
(c) If the employer of developmental disabilities personnel believes that the personnel have not or will not safely activate a vagal nerve stimulator or use an epinephrine autoinjector, the employer shall prohibit the developmental disabilities personnel from continuing or commencing to do so. Developmental disabilities personnel shall not engage in the action or actions subject to an employer's prohibition.
(d) Developmental disabilities personnel shall activate a vagal nerve stimulator, use an epinephrine autoinjector, or administer topical over-the-counter medications in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
(C)(1) In the case of recipients of early intervention, preschool, and school-age services, as specified in division (A)(1) of this section, all of the following apply:
(a) With nursing delegation, developmental disabilities personnel may perform health-related activities.
(b) With nursing delegation, developmental disabilities personnel may administer oral and topical prescribed medications and topical over-the-counter musculoskeletal medications.
(c) With nursing delegation, developmental disabilities personnel may administer oxygen and metered dose inhaled medications.
(d) With nursing delegation, developmental disabilities personnel may administer prescribed medications through gastrostomy and jejunostomy tubes, if the tubes being used are stable and labeled.
(e) With nursing delegation, developmental disabilities personnel may administer routine doses of insulin through subcutaneous injections, inhalation, and insulin pumps.
(2) In the case of individuals described in divisions (A)(2), (7), and (9) of this section, all of the following apply:
(a) With nursing delegation, developmental disabilities personnel may perform health-related activities.
(b) With nursing delegation, developmental disabilities personnel may administer oral and topical prescribed medications and topical over-the-counter musculoskeletal medications.
(c) With nursing delegation, developmental disabilities personnel may administer oxygen and metered dose inhaled medications.
(d) With nursing delegation, developmental disabilities personnel may administer prescribed medications through gastrostomy and jejunostomy tubes, if the tubes being used are stable and labeled.
(e) With nursing delegation, developmental disabilities personnel may administer routine doses of insulin through subcutaneous injections, inhalation, and insulin pumps.
(f) With nursing delegation, developmental disabilities personnel may administer prescribed medications for the treatment of metabolic glycemic disorders through subcutaneous injections.
(3) In the case of individuals described in divisions (A)(3), (4), (5), (6), and (8) of this section, all of the following apply:
(a) Without nursing delegation, developmental disabilities personnel may perform health-related activities.
(b) Without nursing delegation, developmental disabilities personnel may administer oral and topical prescribed medications and topical over-the-counter musculoskeletal medications.
(c) Without nursing delegation, developmental disabilities personnel may administer oxygen and metered dose inhaled medications.
(d) With nursing delegation, developmental disabilities personnel may administer prescribed medications through gastrostomy and jejunostomy tubes, if the tubes being used are stable and labeled.
(e) With nursing delegation, developmental disabilities personnel may administer routine doses of insulin through subcutaneous injections, inhalation, and insulin pumps.
(f) With nursing delegation, developmental disabilities personnel may administer prescribed medications for the treatment of metabolic glycemic disorders through subcutaneous injections.
(D) The authority of developmental disabilities personnel to administer medications and perform health-related activities pursuant to division (C) of this section is subject to all of the following:
(1) To administer medications or perform health-related activities for individuals in the categories specified under divisions (A)(1) to (9) of this section, developmental disabilities personnel shall obtain the certificate or certificates required by the department of developmental disabilities and issued under section 5123.45 of the Revised Code. Developmental disabilities personnel shall administer medications and perform health-related activities only as authorized by the certificate or certificates held.
(2) If nursing delegation is required under division (C) of this section, developmental disabilities personnel shall not act without nursing delegation or in a manner that is inconsistent with the delegation.
(3) The employer of developmental disabilities personnel shall ensure that the personnel have been trained specifically with respect to each individual for whom they administer medications or perform health-related activities. Developmental disabilities personnel shall not administer medications or perform health-related activities for any individual for whom they have not been specifically trained.
(4) If the employer of developmental disabilities personnel believes that the developmental disabilities personnel have not or will not safely administer medications or perform health-related activities, the employer shall prohibit the the personnel from continuing or commencing to do so. Developmental disabilities personnel shall not engage in the action or actions subject to an employer's prohibition.
(E) In accordance with section 5123.46 of the Revised Code, the department of developmental disabilities shall adopt rules governing its implementation of this section. The rules shall include the following:
(1) Requirements for documentation of the administration of medications and performance of health-related activities by developmental disabilities personnel pursuant to the authority granted under this section;
(2) Procedures for reporting errors that occur in the administration of medications and performance of health-related activities by developmental disabilities personnel pursuant to the authority granted under this section;
(3) Other standards and procedures the department considers necessary for implementation of this section.
The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.

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