MEDICATION & RESEARCH
A Prescription for Progressive Performance
Pouching medications has emerged as a game-changer in the social care sector, says Peter Thnoia, Chief Product and Innovation Officer at PillTime. Here, he explains how the process helps streamline medication administration for care providers.
In the demanding field of social care, medication administration plays a vital role in ensuring the wellbeing of residents. Care providers face the responsibility of delivering medications safely and on time, oſten under significant stress and time pressures. However, there is a solution that not only addresses these challenges but also aligns with PillTime's commitment to the care provider and social care sectors – pouching medications. This innovative method streamlines medication administration while upholding the core guidance set by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in the UK.
Care providers oſten face complex and time-consuming medication rounds in care homes, domiciliary care, and supported living settings. Juggling the unique medication requirements of numerous residents or patients can be overwhelming and lead to increased stress levels. Fortunately, pouching medications has emerged as a game-changer in the social care sector. Pouching involves organising medications in pre-packaged, individualised dosages, significantly reducing the risk of errors and confusion during administration. This work is done prior to the medication's delivery, simplifying the process of booking in medications for care providers.
By embracing pouching, care providers can save time on sorting, counting, and organising medications, allowing them to focus more on the wellbeing of their residents and providing the support they need. This efficient method enables streamlined medication rounds, ensuring that the right medications are delivered to the right individuals at the right time. This promotes resident safety and reduces the potential for errors. By alleviating time pressures and the burden of individually allocating the correct amount of each medication, pouching makes the process less stressful for staff.
The CQC provides guidance on medication administration and the use of administration aids, including pouching, to ensure safe and effective practices within the care home sector. The CQC's core principles emphasise resident safety, person-centred care, and effective medication management. Importantly, the use of pouching within care environments, particularly supported living, has shown to empower individuals, giving them greater control over their health and medications and fostering independence.
When considering the use of pouching as an administration aid, care providers oſten have concerns about compliance with CQC guidance. According to the CQC, medication pouches can be utilised as long as they adhere to the following guidelines:
Consistent Labelling: Each medication pouch should be clearly labelled with the resident's name, medication name, dosage
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instructions, and administration date and time. This ensures accuracy and minimises the risk of mix-ups or confusion.
Accurate Record-Keeping: Care providers must maintain accurate records of medication administration, including any changes or omissions, to provide a comprehensive overview of each resident's medication regime transparently.
Regular Review: The CQC emphasises the importance of regularly reviewing and assessing medication administration aids to ensure ongoing effectiveness and suitability for residents' needs. This includes periodic checks on labelling accuracy and medication compatibility within the pouches.
Staff Training: Care providers must ensure that their staff receive adequate training in the proper use of medication administration aids, including pouching. This training encompasses handling, storing, and administering medications correctly, as well as identifying and addressing potential risks or concerns.
“By embracing pouching,
care providers can save time on sorting, counting, and organising medications.”
Pouching medications not only streamlines medication administration processes for social care providers but also offers additional benefits that align with PillTime's commitment to the care provider and social care sectors. The time saved through pouching can be invested in building stronger relationships with residents, providing emotional support, and enhancing the overall quality of care. As the social care sector continues to evolve, pouching medications provide a valuable solution to the ongoing challenges faced by care providers, resulting in improved outcomes for both residents and caregivers.
PillTime is dedicated to supporting care providers in delivering person-centred care with precision and accuracy. By embracing pouching medications and adhering to the core guidance provided by the CQC, care providers can streamline their medication administration processes, reduce stress levels, and improve resident safety. Together, we can enhance the care provided in the social care sector and achieve better outcomes for all.
https://pilltime.co.uk www.tomorrowscare.co.uk
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