MEDICATION & RESEARCH Smooth & Simple


Ashley-Louise Lumley, Curam Champion Carer, explains how digital solutions for medication management can empower carers and patients.


For those with complex medical needs, keeping track of medication can be a challenge. Not only do the types and timings of doses need to be followed closely, but it is also crucial that medicine is ordered in time from the pharmacy or doctor to ensure that supplies don’t run out.


The scale of incorrect medication throughout the NHS is vast, with an estimated 237m medication errors made each year. While there is little data available relating to patients and carers administering at home, care homes are responsible for 42% of medical errors, which have the potential to cause avoidable deaths.


When carers have multiple clients with various medical needs to understand or patients have conditions such as dementia limiting the role they can play in their medication management, staying on top of doses can be a difficult feat. Thankfully, medication management methods are progressing from daily pill boxes and hard copy medication administration records (MAR) towards more integrated technology. Devices such as persistent alarm carousel dispensers are hugely beneficial for giving patients more independence and there are also digital solutions that empower patients, families, and carers to be more confident in medication management.


AUTOMATING PRESCRIPTION REFILLS


Something that is extremely valuable to patients and their carers is pharmacy services that use predictive technology to streamline the process of stocking up on medicine. Digital reminders to reorder coupled with a delivery service that consolidates prescriptions into as few deliveries as possible makes it so much easier to keep tabs on which medication the patient has in stock.


For a care home managing medication for multiple residents, which may be coming from different pharmacies, turning to an online, technology-driven pharmacy service will greatly reduce administrative burden.


This approach also makes medication more accessible for elderly or disabled patients who may not be able to make it to the pharmacy themselves. Without having to make pharmacy trips, carers and family have more time to spend socialising with the patient or helping around the house.


AI-POWERED DRUG ACCURACY


According to a BMJ Quality & Safety study, errors are made at every stage of the medication process. A business leading the way to turn tides on this is PillSorted, which uses AI and robotics to pick drugs and sort them into single pouches, eliminating the errors that can occur during dispensing.


Once dispensed, patients receive a chart containing doctor’s instructions and visual aids that update with each new dispense, adapting to supplier changes that produce medicines in varying shapes, doses and colours. These personalised charts can be shared with everyone involved in a patient’s care.


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As the responsibility of medication management oſten falls to various people, such as family members and multiple carers, as well as the patient themselves who all need oversight of medication administration, this is a valuable tool. Without it, patients could be at risk of double dosing or missing a dose, both of which have the potential to cause serious harm to their health. Family members have peace of mind that their loved one is receiving the correct medication, and carers and family can confidently share care duties knowing that there is a clear log, further empowering them to safely administer medicine.


PRIORITISING DIGITAL IN THE FUTURE OF


MEDICATION MANAGEMENT Technology is streamlining many aspects of life, and while health and social care may be relatively slow on the uptake, implementing it into medication management is highly valuable for those providing care. Families can have oversight of their family member’s records while carers can use tools to manage medications for multiple clients with absolute confidence.


Accessing and administering medicines correctly can be a hassle for patients and those who provide their care, but emerging digital solutions are the key to assuring that patients are being well cared for by empowered, knowledgeable caregivers.


www.curamcare.com www.tomorrowscare.co.uk


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