Rep. Heather Bishoff Seeks to Streamline Health Care in Ohio

State Rep. Heather Bishoff (D-Blacklick) offered testimony on Wednesday for her bill to help streamline and update medication administration in Ohio, House Bill 301. HB 301 would allow certain Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) the ability to delegate the administration of medications to other qualified medical assistants.

“House Bill 301 would streamline the administration of medicine so that routine medications could be provided significantly faster, but just as safely, to patients in need,” said Rep. Bishoff. “Allowing APRNs to advise professionally trained medical staff to administer immunizations, flu shots and other routine medications will quicken visit times for families and better utilize our doctors’ offices potential for productivity and efficiency. This bill is a win-win for our patients and our doctors’ offices.”

HB 301, jointly sponsored with Rep. Dorothy Pelanda (R-Marysville), received its first hearing in House Health & Aging Committee. Both Reps. Bishoff and Pelanda offered sponsor testimony.

The bill provides a number of safeguards to deflect any potential wrongdoing. Safeguards include, specifying that no controlled substances or drugs administered intravenously could be delegated; the bill is only applicable to APRNs who have the ability to prescribe; the employer of the medical assistant or individual administering the medication must ensure that the individual has successfully completed education on drug administration and demonstrates the knowledge, skills and ability to administer the drug safely; and that the APRN must also determine that the individual is competent to administer the medication before delegating, as APRN’s and the employer’s licenses are ultimately liable.