Nursing Homes

Notice: Curriculum Approval for Medication Training Programs

Effective Aug. 1  

Minnesota Statutes, section 144A.61 was revised, and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will now approve curricula for medication training programs in nursing homes that meet the current requirements outlined in Minnesota Rules, 4658.1360, subpart 2, item B.

Applications to submit curriculum will be available soon. We appreciate your patience as the application is being developed. See revisions to Minnesota Statutes, section 144A.61, subdivision 3 Nursing Assistant Training.

Minnesota Statutes, section 144A.61, is amended in Minnesota Laws of 2025, chapter 38, article 2, section 7 by adding subdivision 3b to read: 

Commissioner approval of curricula for medication administration.  

The commissioner of health must review and approve curricula that meet the requirements in Minnesota Rules, part 4658.1360, subpart 2, item B, to train unlicensed personnel in medication administration. Significant updates or amendments, including but not limited to changes to the standards of practice to the curricula, must be approved by the commissioner. 

Minnesota Statutes, section 144A.61, is amended in Minnesota Laws of 2025, chapter 38, article 2, section 8 by adding subdivision 3c to read: 

Approved curricula.  

The commissioner must maintain a current list of acceptable medication administration curricula to be used for medication aide training programs for employees of nursing homes and certified boarding care homes on the department's website that are based on current best practice standards and meet the requirements of Minnesota Rules, part 4658.1360, subpart 2, item B.

Administration of Medications by Unlicensed Personnel.   

Minnesota Rules, part 4658.1360, subpart. 2 Training.

Unlicensed nursing personnel who administer medications in a nursing home must: 

A. have completed a nursing assistant training program approved by the department; and 

B. have completed a standardized medication administration training program for unlicensed personnel in nursing homes which is offered through a Minnesota postsecondary educational institution that includes, at a minimum, instruction on the following: 

1. The complete procedure of checking the resident's medication record.
2. Preparation of the medication for administration.
3. Administration of the medication to the resident.
4. Assisting residents with self-administration as necessary.
5. Documentation after administration of the date, time, dosage, and method of administration of all medications, or the reason for not administering the medication as ordered, and the signature of the nurse or authorized person who administered and observed the same.
6. The type of information regarding medication administration reportable to a nurse.

MDH is currently undergoing a rulemaking project to update Minnesota Rules, part 4658.1360. If you would like future information about this project, please sign up for HRD’s rulemaking updates GovDelivery list.  

Thank you for your attention. 

Contact information

For additional questions please email Health.nar.coord@state.mn.us 

Health Regulation Division and Infectious Disease Epidemiology Prevention and Control Division present on infection control updates for both nursing homes and hospitals August 13. 

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) sponsored a statewide call related to infection control topics for nursing homes and hospitals on Aug. 13. All nursing home and hospital infection control practitioners were encouraged to attend. 

This webinar provided an overview of health regulations related to infection control for both nursing homes and hospitals and an update on healthcare associated infections in both nursing homes and hospitals. 

Topics 

• Regulations related to infection control for nursing homes.
• Regulations related to infection control for hospitals.
• Overview of novel and targeted MDROs.
• MDH’s containment response process.
• Questions and answers. 

 Presentation: Infection control updates for both nursing homes and hospitals (PDF)

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) sponsored a statewide Nursing Home Regulatory webinar on July 15. All nursing home providers were invited to participate.

This webinar provided an update on implementation of nursing home regulation guidelines and updates.

Topics

• Top citations and complaint data for quarter 3 of fiscal year 2025
• MDH updates
• Locked Units
• Case Mix / Patient Driven Payment Model Updates
• Nurse Aide Registry In-Facility Testing
• Transition to iQIES and updates to ePOC
• LTC Tools and Training Overview for Emergency Preparedness and Response 

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) held a statewide Nursing Home Regulatory webinar on April 15. All nursing home providers were invited to participate.

This webinar provided an update on implementation of nursing home regulation guidelines and updates.

Topics

• Top citations and complaint data for quarter two of fiscal year 2025
• MDH updates
• Nurse Aide Registry In-Facility Testing
• Nursing Home Incident Reporting (NHIR) — discussion about facility reportable incidents

During the quarterly call on April 9, MDH received questions about facility self-reports and Enhanced Barrier Precautions from providers. We want to thank everyone who attended the call and asked their questions; listed below are resources to assist providers in understanding these guidelines.

Facility Self-Reports

We encourage providers to review the resources available from CMS, as well as the training that is available to through the CMS Quality, Safety, and Educational Portal (QSEP) training site.

• Nursing Homes (cms.gov)
• QSEP - Driving Healthcare Quality (cms.gov)

Enhanced Barrier Precautions

The QSO-24-08 NH Memo Enhanced Barrier Precautions in Nursing Homes to Prevent Spread of Multidrug-resistant Organisms (MDROs) | CMS, included links to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) web pages with additional resources and continuing education webinars.

The Infection Control Assessment and Response (ICAR) team encourages providers to sign up for Project Firstline trainings and also provided links for additional resources:

• On the Health care infection prevention and control section of the Project Firstline Training and Resources page, click on Long-term care to for a webinar recording and supplemental resources.
  • You'll need to register to view the Enhanced Barrier Precautions webinar recording: PFL Enhanced Barrier Precautions (vovici.com).
• Implementation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Use in Nursing Homes to Prevent Spread of Multidrug-resistant Organisms (MDROs) | HAI | CDC
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Enhanced Barrier Precautions in Nursing Homes | HAI | CDC
• Consideration for Use of Enhanced Barrier Precautions in Skilled Nursing Facilities HICPAC (cdc.gov)
• Keeping Residents Safe – Use of Enhanced Barrier Precautions (cdc.gov) (PDF)
• Help Keep Our Residents Safe - Enhanced Barrier Precautions in Nursing Homes (cdc.gov) (PDF)

You can also reach out to the ICAR team via email at health.icar@state.mn.us.

The Resources for Providers page has been updated to include a section addressing adult-use cannabis and hemp-derived THC product consumption in long-term care facilities. You can also click here to go directly to the Frequently-Asked Questions about Cannabis Use page.

This guidance was created as a collaborative effort with the Office of the Ombudsman for Long-Term Care, Minnesota’s Long Term Care Imperative, and staff from the Minnesota Department of Health to respond to questions regarding recreational adult-use cannabis submitted by long-term care providers. It is not intended to be used by the general public.

This guidance is not intended to provide guidance for medical marijuana use, and may not address all provider questions. Facilities are encouraged to work with their legal teams to ensure compliance with all state and federal requirements.