Health Regulation Information Bulletins
Information Bulletin 19-05
All licensed home care providers: 40
Licensed Home Care Providers Can Now Obtain and Use Epinephrine Auto-Injectors
Authorized entities now include:
- Licensed basic home care providers
- Licensed comprehensive home care providers, including Medicare certified home health agencies
Purpose
The purpose of this bulletin is to inform the public that the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has added licensed basic and comprehensive home care providers to the list of authorized entities that may obtain, store, and use epinephrine auto-injectors under Minn. Stat. § 144.999.
Owners, managers, employees, and agents of an authorized licensed home care entity may obtain and store epinephrine auto-injectors after successfully completing an approved anaphylaxis training program. A list of approved training providers is available on the MDH website at Epinephrine Auto-injector Law. For emergency treatment of anaphylaxis, a licensed home care provider may provide the epinephrine auto-injector to the individual or the individual’s caregiver for immediate use, or may administer the epinephrine auto-injector.
There is no limit to the number of owners, managers, employees or agents of a home care provider who may complete anaphylaxis training. A licensed home care provider must designate employees or agents who have completed anaphylaxis training to be responsible for storing, maintaining, and controlling the epinephrine auto-injectors.
Under Minn. Stat. § 144.999, no entity is under a duty or obligation to obtain or store epinephrine auto-injectors or administer an epinephrine auto-injector shot.
What is anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and can be life-threatening. Injecting a dose of epinephrine into an individual experiencing anaphylaxis can lessen the intensity of the allergic reaction and save the individual’s life.
Who can provide and/or administer an epinephrine auto-injector shot?
A licensed home care provider who voluntarily chooses to obtain and use epinephrine auto-injectors without a prescription must follow the statutory requirements of Minn. Stat. § 144.999.
Minn. Stat. § 144.999 provides an option for providing emergency care for anaphylaxis; it does not limit other options for administering prescribed epinephrine. A home care provider may administer an epinephrine auto-injector which was prescribed to a specific client, without completing the training required in Minn. Stat. § 144.999, as long as that individual is otherwise acting within their training or licensure, and in accordance with the prescriber’s orders and the home care statutes.
| Emergency Administration of Non-Prescribed Auto-Injectors | Prescribed Auto-injectors |
|---|---|
| May be administered to anyone who is believed, in good faith, to be experiencing anaphylaxis | May only be administered to the client for whom it is prescribed |
| Are not prescribed to a specific client; must be stored so as to be accessible in an emergency | Must be labeled and used for a specific client, and stored in accordance with the client’s individualized medication management plan |
| May be administered by anyone trained as provided in Minn. Stat. § 144.999 | May be administered by individuals authorized in Minn. Stat. § 144A.4792 (physicians, nurses, licensed health practitioners, and unlicensed staff delegated and trained by a nurse). In unanticipated, life-threatening circumstances, an individual who has completed training under Minn. Stat. § 144.999 may also administer an epinephrine auto-injector shot to the client. |
I. Licensed basic home care provider
After successfully completing an anaphylaxis training program as listed under Minn. Stat. § 144.999, an owner, manager, employee, or agent of a licensed basic home care provider may obtain, possess, provide, and administer an epinephrine auto-injector shot to any individual believed to be experiencing anaphylaxis. This includes, but is not limited to, clients, visitors, and employees.
II. Licensed comprehensive home care providers, including Medicare certified home health agencies
After successfully completing an anaphylaxis training program as listed under Minn. Stat. § 144.999, an owner, manager, employee, or agent of a licensed comprehensive home care provider may obtain, possess, provide, and administer an epinephrine auto-injector shot to any individual believed to be experiencing anaphylaxis. This includes, but is not limited to, clients, visitors, and employees.
Clients Who Are Prescribed Epinephrine through Medication Management Services
For clients who are prescribed epinephrine, and have assistance with medications or medication management services listed on their service plan according to Minn. Stat. § 144A.4791, subd. 9, a licensed comprehensive home care provider must continue to comply with the assessment, monitoring, reassessment, individualized medication management plan, administration, delegation, training, competency, and documentation requirements outlined in Minn. Stat. § 144A.4792 and other applicable home care requirements.