SECTION 225.12. Delegation of Insulin or Other Injectable Medications Prescribed in the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus

In addition to all previous criteria listed, when delegating administration of insulin or other injectable medications prescribed in the treatment of diabetes mellitus administered subcutaneously, nasally, or via insulin pump the RN must:

(1) arrange for a RN to be available on call for consultation/intervention 24 hours each day;

(2) provide teaching of all aspects of insulin or other injectable medications prescribed in the treatment of diabetes mellitus administered subcutaneously, nasally, or via insulin pump to the client and the unlicensed person to include, but not limited to proper technique for determination of the client's blood sugar prior to each administration of insulin or other medication, proper injection technique, risks, side effects and the correct response(s). The RN must leave written instructions for the performance of administering insulin or other injectable medications prescribed in the treatment of diabetes mellitus subcutaneously, nasally, or via insulin pump, including a copy of the physician's order or instructions, for the unlicensed person, client, or client's responsible adult to use as a reference;

(3) delegate the administration of insulin or other injectable medication prescribed in the treatment of diabetes mellitus subcutaneously, nasally, or via insulin pump to an unlicensed person, specific to one client. The RN must teach that the administration of insulin or other injectable medication prescribed in the treatment of diabetes mellitus subcutaneously, nasally, or via insulin pump is to be performed only for the patient for whom the instructions are provided and instruct the unlicensed person that the task is client specific and not transferable to other clients or providers;

(4) delegate the administration of insulin or other injectable medication prescribed in the treatment of diabetes mellitus subcutaneously, nasally, or via insulin pump to additional unlicensed persons providing care to the specific client provided the registered nurse limits the number of unlicensed persons to the number who will remain proficient in performing the task and can be safely supervised by the registered nurse;

(5) make supervisory visits to the client's location at least 3 times within the first 60 days (one within the first two weeks, one within the second two weeks and one in the last 30 days) to evaluate the proper medication administration of insulin by the unlicensed person(s). After the initial 60 days, the RN, in consultation with the client or client's responsible adult, shall determine the frequency for supervisory visits to assure the proper and safe administration of insulin by the unlicensed person(s). Separate visits shall be made for each unlicensed person administering insulin;

(6) make supervisory visits in the event there are changes in the client's status; and

(7) ensure that the client or client's responsible adult acknowledges in writing that the administration of medication(s) under this section will be delegated to an unlicensed person.

Source Note: The provisions of this §225.12 adopted to be effective February 24, 2014, 39 TexReg 1154