Violation
California Code § 87465(e)PRN Medication Orders
How CCLD inspectors cite this regulation, what providers do to stay clear of it, and where it appears in the public record.
Regulation text
What California Code § 87465(e) actually says
California Code § 87465(e)
For every prescription and nonprescription PRN medication for which the licensee provides assistance there shall be a signed, dated written order from a physician, on a prescription blank, maintained in the residents file, and a label on the medication. Both the physician's order and the label shall contain at least all of the following information.
From the field
What providers tell us about this citation
Based on community experience, not official guidance.
LPAs will compare your PRN physician orders directly with the pharmacy labels during their first medication walk-through. 149 facilities were cited for this Type A violation. Stop assisting with any PRN medication until you verify the label and the signed prescription blank match perfectly.
By the numbers
- 161*CCLD
- facilities cited in the last 90 days
- 19*CCLD
- counties where this citation appeared
- --*CCLD
- rank among most-common citations
- Trajectory
- Steady
That is 1 in 95 facilities CCLD inspected.
SOURCE
*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly
SOURCE
*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly
SOURCE
*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly
Last 90 days vs. previous 90 days.
161 facilities were cited for this in the last 90 days. See if yours is one of them.
What other providers do
Common practices to stay clear of PRN Medication Orders
Common practices shared by providers. Confirm requirements with your licensing analyst.
Common practices
What to avoid
- Accepting PRN medications without a matching physician order on file.
- Allowing staff to assist PRN medications based on verbal orders alone.
- Failing to update labels when a doctor changes the PRN dosage.
Regional record
Where this citation appeared in the past 90 days
Citation counts and rates by California county, drawn from CCLD inspection records.
| County | Citations |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 50 |
| Alameda | 15 |
| Orange | 10 |
| Contra Costa | 10 |
| San Bernardino | 9 |
| Ventura | 8 |
| San Diego | 6 |
| Sacramento | 6 |
| San Mateo | 5 |
| Kern | 4 |
SOURCE
*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly
Public record
Check any facility for § 87465(e)
Free public record. No account needed.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Answers based on public CCLD data and regulation text. May not reflect recent changes.
What is a PRN medication order violation in an assisted living facility?
How common are PRN medication order violations in California assisted living?
What happens if an RCFE is cited for a PRN medication error?
How do I fix or prevent PRN medication order violations?
Do PRN medication citations affect my RCFE license?
Related violations
Other citations in this regulation family
This information is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed residential care compliance consultant for guidance specific to your facility. Citation data is sourced from California Community Care Licensing Division public records and is refreshed regularly.