STATE NEWS

Senate signs off on 'medication aides'

The Florida Senate on Tuesday unanimously passed a bill that would allow trained certified nursing assistants to provide medications to nursing-home residents.

  • By News Service of Florida
  • | 12:05 p.m. April 7, 2023
Prescription Medication Medicine Pill Tablets
Prescription Medication Medicine Pill Tablets
Eric Hood - stock.adobe.com
  • Ormond Beach Observer
  • Share

The Florida Senate on Tuesday unanimously passed a bill that would allow trained certified nursing assistants to provide medications to nursing-home residents. 

The bill (SB 558), sponsored by Health Policy Chairwoman Colleen Burton, R-Lakeland, would allow certified nursing assistants to become trained as “qualified medication aides.”

They could then administer what Burton and other supporters have described as “routine” medications to nursing-home residents, freeing up registered nurses to provide other needed care. 

Also, qualified medication aides could perform tasks such as checking residents’ blood glucose levels. 

A House version of the bill (HB 351) has cleared committees and is positioned to go to the full House.

 

Latest News

  • December 20, 2024
Ormond Beach Police's Santa on Patrol wishes community a merry Christmas
  • December 20, 2024
Chabad of Palm Coast to host Chanukah Jewish Festival and Concert
  • December 20, 2024
Ormond woman to serve 12 years in prison after toddler drowned in retention pond
  • December 20, 2024
Volusia County Democrats say looming federal government shutdown poses threat to locals
×

Your free article limit has been reached this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited digital access to our award-winning local news.