The safe handling of medicines is a serious responsibility that care workers have. Understanding what this involves in practice will help to make their work a safe one for all concerned.
Storing Medicines Correctly
When storing medicines they need to be stored in different conditions. Some need to be stored in the fridge between 2-8 degrees Celsius and other medicines need to be stored at room temperature but below 25 degrees Celsius and in the dark. Controlled drugs need to be stored in a locked cabinet to comply with legislation. Care workers need to check that the storage of the medicines are being stored in the correct conditions as specified by the label of the medicine or by the pharmacist.
Reading Labels and Prescriptions Accurately
Check the name of the person for whom you are administering medicine, the name of the medicine, the dose, how the medicine is to be given and when it is to be given. The NHS has guidelines for the safe storage of medicines and these should be followed in all care settings. It is easy to make a mistake when administering medicine by reading the label incorrectly – this can cause serious harm.
Completing MAR Charts
A medication administration record (MAR) or medication chart is used to record all medicines given or not given to a person. The record should be completed as each medicine is administered. If a medicine is missed for any reason this should also be recorded and completed as soon as possible. Gaps in recording or delayed updates can make it difficult to identify any patterns or errors.
Administering Different Medication Types
All medication types need to be given in specific ways. There are ways of giving tablet medication, patches, liquid medication and inhalation medication. It is very important that we learn the right ways to give different medication types and the wrong ways to administer different medication types. For example, if a tablet has been made into a powder then the medication may not work as effectively as it would if it had been swallowed whole in tablet form.
Recognising Errors and Knowing When to Escalate
If a mistake or an unexpected reaction occurs when a person is being given medicine, this must be reported immediately. The care worker must know the limits of his/her own responsibilities and know who to contact for help.
A useful reference for Safe handling of medication is tidaltraining.co.uk/health-and-social-care-courses/safe-handling-of-medication-training/.
By following these steps, you will ensure the safety of the people you care for and the safety of yourself in your role of caring for others.