A bill that would allow certified nursing assistants in nursing homes to give certain medications to patients was approved by the Florida Senate.
The measure () is an effort to address the ongoing worker shortage at Florida鈥檚 nursing homes.
The vote was unanimous, 39-0 vote. A similar bill () in the House will soon be up for a vote.
If signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, it would take effect July 1.
According to the bill, CNAs must receive 鈥渜ualified medication aide鈥� certification before giving medications in a nursing home. They must also receive specific training and work as a CNA for at least a year.
QMAs would be limited to administering oral, transdermal, ophthalmic, otic, inhaled or topical prescription medication. They must also be supervised by a nurse when doing so.
The nursing home won鈥檛 be able to count QMA hours toward required staffing ratios. CNAs must provide a minimum of two hours of direct care per resident per day, and a weekly average of 3.6 hours of direct care per patient per day.
The bill sponsor is Sen. Colleen Burton, R-Lakeland, chair of the Health Policy Committee.
Copyright 2023 Health News Florida. To see more, visit .
