Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. 152 PURPOSE: To assess and manage the administration of antimicrobial medications in the home in a safe and effective manner. DEFINITIONS: • Adverse Reaction, often called side effect, is a predictable pharmacological effect that is either drug, non-drug or dose related. • Allergic Reaction is a physiologic response to a specific antigen. • Anaphylaxis is an acute, often fatal systemic reaction resulting from re-injection in a previously sensitized individual. POLICY: • The first dose of any IV medication must be administered under the supervision of a physician. • Where possible the first dose should be administered in the hospital prior to discharge to home health services. • First dose of investigational drugs must be given under the direct supervision of the physician. • Patients receiving drugs that have a high potential for causing anaphylaxis must not be given the first dose in the home, i.e., amphotericin B, chemotherapy agents. • The Registered Nurse assigned to administer IV medications shall be qualified by education and experience and shall have been assessed as being competent by the Agency. • All nurses supervising IV medication infusions in the home must be competent in anaphylaxis management, certified in CPR (preferably ACLS) and proficient in starting peripheral IVs. • Adherence to all other existing candidate selection criteria for home antimicrobial therapy is essential and must include knowledge of patient's complete medical, drug and allergy history, as well as a family allergy history. FIRST DOSE HOME IV ANTIMICROBIAL ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT OF ANAPHYLAXIS