Resident care
Boxingclever: Ensuringthe right dose for care homes
Issa Group product and service manager Mehfuz Dasu Patel shares insight on how monitored dosage systems can even be used in combination with other steps to support care homes to adhere to infection prevention measures during the coronavirus pandemic
Residential and nursing care homes want to do everything in their power to keep residents healthy, happy and safe, and this has never been more apparent than today as we are faced with the biggest, most challenging time in recent history as the coronavirus pandemic causes widespread threat to the most vulnerable people in society. Medicine management in care homes
is a complex process and one that can present a number of risks. It can also impact standards of hygiene and infection control, which now is of the highest importance. Robust medication management is of
great significance at any time, and it is essential that care homes ensure that simple, straightforward and secure medication management processes are in place to support best practice. Monitored dosage systems (MDS), or
multicompartment compliance aids as they are also known, are in widespread use across the care home market and have moved on considerably in recent years. The advances can now be used in conjunction with other measures to support care homes to safeguard and protect residents during these highly challenging circumstances of the pandemic. Traditionally in pack form, and card-
based, MDS would in the past hold just two or three solid oral medicines to be taken at different times across the week. Today, through the development of new
ideas, MDS have evolved into a valuable, innovative option for care homes. Technology-enabled solutions now
mean greater flexibility than the more traditional options, and as care homes are currently making adjustments in their processes and implementing extra safeguards to protect residents and staff from the risks of infection, advanced MDS solutions with antimicrobial technology can also be used alongside other measures such as PPE to help control the risk of infection. From simple multi-dosing systems with individual pods for tablets to
Whereas in the past MDS were only capable of handling basic administration of solid oral medications, there are now higher levels of safety over the more traditional methods of medication management
August 2020 •
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com
automated devices with alarms, there are many multi-dosing systems on the market. Which system is best will depend on each individual care home’s circumstances, as well as what is most suitable for resident needs. Over the years there has been
controversy over the place for MDS, and opinion has divided on their benefits over and above traditional methods. Original pack use was thought to encourage greater independence yet advances in MDS have seen smart technology designed for health and independence, even sending audio voice alarms and text messages to the patient, family member or carer. These medication management
devices allow patients to take the right medicine, at the right dose, at the right time. MDS have progressed from holding a few medicines to become sophisticated total medication management systems that hold multiple medicines, up to 12 in some instances, including medicines that could not
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