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In the adult social care setting it is vital that when handling medications are involved, service providers must follow the organisational policies and procedures to the letter, as this is keeping in line with the law. It is important to acknowledge and be aware of your own limitations when it comes to handling medications; this ensures the safety of the service provider, service users and to others. When following the policies and procedures it is necessary to receive the appropriate level of training associated with handling medications this includes: storing, ordering, receiving, administration, the recording and the disposal of medication.
It is vital that training is kept up to date on a regular basis in case of any changes in legislation or policies and procedures. It is also vital to only do what you are trained for and deemed competent to do so, working in line with the codes of conduct. In addition if there were any unsafe practices; for example, if a person asks you to distribute medication without training, then it is a must to report those unsafe practices to the manager immediately.
Read more: Essay About Administer Medication to Individuals and Monitor the Effects
When dealing with the storage of medications it is vital to ensure that all organisational policies and procedures are followed.
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All medications should be stored under COSHH Regulations 2002; this is keeping in line with the law. It is important that medications should also be stored according to manufactures instructions in their original boxes and bottles with the tops on correctly, bottles are to be stored upright and clean from stickiness associated with medicines.
Medications should be stored correctly in a locked cupboard, trolley or medicine fridge, with only the trained authorised personnel having access to the medications. It is important that trained authorised staff are aware of stock control, as too much medications can result in errors and that they have a used by date. If a service user wanted to self-medicate then they are to be given a locked cupboard or drawer with their own key. This is only to be done following a risk assessment been completed prior to the agreement. When dealing with the ordering of medications, all organisational policies and procedures must be followed when ordering them.
The care home will have a 28 day cycle, as this helps to reduce the service user not having enough medication. Reordering medications begins on 14th day of the cycle so that time is given between prescriptions been requested and written, the prescription been checked then given to the pharmacist, then dispensed and double checked prior to giving them to the service user. It is also good practice to keep a copy of what has been ordered. Another good practice is to always keep good stock control, this means checking the stock before ordering to prevent over stocking, waste or error. If there is too much stock there is more of a chance that an error can be made because giving out of date medications could be harmful to the service user. When receiving medications, it is vital that it is checked. Medications need to be checked to see that it has the correct service user name on the label and the prescription. It also has to be checked that the quantity, strength and the form (e.g. tablet, medicine or capsule) are the same. The received medication needs to be checked against the prescription to ensure that it is a match. All medications has to be well documented keeping in line with policies and procedures.
When the administration of medication is required it is an essential practice to be fully trained to the required level and be fully competent in this area, following all organisational policies and procedures. It is a must to gain the consent of the service user before administering any medication. It may also be necessary to use PPE as appropriate for example using gloves before apply lotions and creams to a service user. Before any medications are administered; it is essential to ensure that the right medications, right quantity, right form are administered to the right person and at the right time of day. It is vital that the trolley and medications are never left unattended, as anyone could come along and take medication from the trolley which could do serious harm to themselves or to others. When dealing with all aspects of handling medication it is essential that everything is recorded following the organisational policies and procedures.
In the care setting is essential practice to have a Medication Administration Record (MAR) for each individual service user which give details of which medicines are prescribed for the service user, when they must be given, what the dose, strength and form is as well as any special information, such as giving the medicines with food. The service provider must have a record of medicines currently prescribed for that person. These should be signed when they are given as individual doses or full packs if the person self-administers. It is also important to keep a record when a prescribed medicine has not been given, e.g. due to the service user’s refusal. The MAR can be a very useful tool for the Service provider to use to keep track of medicines that are not ordered every month but only taken occasionally. The service provider should use the MAR to record medicines carried over onto a new chart.
The MAR should also be used to record when non-prescribed medicines are given, for example a paracetamol for a headache. When administering medications it is important to also record the information on to the service user’s personal care plan. When the need to dispose of medications arises it is vital that all policies and procedures are adhered to, as well as the manufactures instructions. Care home providers should keep records of medicines that have been disposed of, or are waiting for disposal. Medicines for disposal should be stored securely in a tamper-proof container within a cupboard until they are collected by an authorised waste management company or taken to the pharmacy for them to dispose of.
In the adult social care setting there are many people who need to understand their roles and responsibilities of those involved in supporting the use of medication. The most important person is the service user, as it is with their agreement that the service provider can administer their medication. The other people who are involved and are responsible are the service providers who are fully trained to the appropriate level and are competent in their job role to handle and administer medications. The Manager is also responsible for medication and providing the appropriate training for care workers in a social care setting. The Pharmacist also plays apart in the responsibility for medication, as it is their job to provide the correct medication that is been prescribed by the Doctor.
All medication must be handled following specialist training as it is in keeping with legislation and organisational policies and procedures. It also ensures that medications are administered correctly and safely to the right individual. By having the specialist training needed, the service providers concerned will know how to order, receive, store, administer, record and dispose of medication correctly. This protects the service users and themselves from any errors being made which could lead to an allergic reaction, if given to the wrong service provider, or an accidental overdose; which could prove fatal. Failing to have specialist training or allowing a person who hasn’t received this training is in breach of the law and could lead to disciplinary action which could lead to legal action.
Procedures Regarding Handling Medication in Pharmaceutical Industry. (2016, Jun 16). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/procedures-regarding-handling-medication-in-pharmaceutical-industry-essay
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