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Elizabeth M. Whitehorn, Director

Provider Notice issued 03/11/11

Pill Splitting

​To:

Long Term Care Providers (ICF, SNF, ICF/DD, SLF) ​

​Date: ​March 11, 2011
​Re:

Pill Splitting​

The purpose of this notice is to notify long term care (LTC) providers that nurses may split pills to address a change in dosage ordered by a physician unless splitting is contraindicated.

In instances where a physician changes the dosage of a medication to half of the previous dosage, the higher dosage pill may be halved in order to provide the resident with a new dosage. 

For example; a resident is receiving 40 milligrams of Lasix prior to a physician’s visit.  Following the physician’s visit the medication order is changed to 20 milligrams of Lasix.  The original prescription should not be discarded or returned to the pharmacy.  Instead, the 40 milligram pill should be cut in half and each half should be administered as a 20 milligram pill.

All medications administered in this manner should be documented at the dosage actually administered.

Questions regarding this notice may be directed to the Bureau of Long Term Care at    1-217-782-0545.

Theresa A. Eagleson, Administrator

Division of Medical Programs