CMS Medication Administration and Management IV Medication, Blood Administration and Safe Opioid Use

This program will discuss the CMS standards on medication administration, IV medication, including required hospital policies, ISMP IV Push guidelines, blood transfusion and safe opioid use. The CMS standards on the care of the patient receiving opioids also apply to critical access hospitals. In addition to CMS requirements, the following are also covered: CDC opioid guidelines, and AHRQ on Acute Pain. This program will include a discussion of recommendations and guidelines on the use of opioids from various other organizations including HHS National Action Plan for ADR Prevention, AMA, and Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). This program will cover the Nursing Conditions of Participation as they relate to medication and blood administration – patient assessment and monitoring, staff education and adverse medication events. CMS PACU standards will be discussed briefly, including the need for patient monitoring for patients receiving opioids. Staff education on the safe opioid use is essential and includes an assessment of the patient to determine who will be at risk for an adverse event from the use of IV opioids including PCA. Staff must be educated on the side effects and how to recognize them. Objectives Describe the three different timeframes in which all medications must be administered Recall that CMS has required policies and education requirements on medication administration and safe opioid use Discuss CMS requirements to ensure nurses are competent when giving IV medications or blood transfusions Recall that CDC issued opioid prescribing guidelines.

Continuing education credits available: Certificate of Attendance

Presenter: Laura A. Dixon, BS, JD, RN, CPHRM

Presented: September 11, 2025