Under what condition can a resident of a long-term care facility self-administer medications?

A resident of a long-term care facility can self-administer medications if they have been assessed for safety and possess a written order from their attending physician. This ensures that a qualified healthcare professional has evaluated the resident's ability to manage their medications independently and has deemed it appropriate for them to do so.

The written order from the attending physician serves as formal documentation that supports the resident's ability to self-administer their medications safely, thereby aligning with regulatory and safety standards aimed at protecting the health and well-being of residents in such facilities.

Other conditions, such as supervision by a nurse or permission from family members, may not meet the necessary criteria for self-administration since they do not include a formal medical assessment or physician's directive. Additionally, allowing self-administration at the resident's own discretion may lead to unsafe practices or medication errors, underscoring the importance of having an established protocol in place.