Medication
The cost of medication non-compliance
Martin Lowthian, compliance expert at care technology specialist The Access Group, explains the benefits of partnering with pharmacists and how incorporating innovative technology can reduce medication errors and increase resident safety
NHS research shows that 70 per cent of care home residents experience at least one medication error during their stay with a provider.1
Across a 50-bed care home, this With care home residents
often among the most vulnerable in society, with a range of complex medication requirements, an error in this area could be detrimental. BMJ Quality + Safety analysis also
found that 237m medication errors are made in primary care, care home, and hospital settings in England alone. The consequences of these mistakes cost 1,700 lives every year and the NHS more than £98m. Error rates are highest in care homes (42 per cent), despite covering fewer patients than other sectors. Further research from The Access
Group, a leading provider of business management software to mid-sized UK and Asia Pacific organisations, shows that the average care home resident takes 7.2 medicines a day.
could see 90,666 medicine errors every year. The BMJ estimates that 72 per cent of medication errors are minor, but the potential consequences are severe, and it is vital that care homes take control of their medicine procedures to reduce the risk of harm.
Insurance issues Covid-19 shined a light on a number of insurance challenges for the care sector. Given the huge strain the pandemic put on care homes and their staff, the rapid spread of Covid-19 caused significant challenges for operators including higher levels of whistleblowing and increased liability risks. One example where operators were
at increased risk during the pandemic was the heightened chance of patient or resident claims. With care homes owing the individuals they care for a duty of
care, where a person contracts Covid-19 there may be an allegation that this was as result of a breach of the duty of care or ‘negligence’. That is why the government announced, in January 2021, a state- backed scheme to indemnify care providers operating in designated settings for people with Covid-19 being discharged from hospital. The announcement came following a long campaign from Care England to help with insurance in the sector. As the majority of care homes are
in the independent sector, unlike their counterparts in the NHS, they do not have automatic indemnity. Care England claimed the lack of insurance was a major factor behind the low take-up of designated sites at the turn of the year. While the pandemic has heightened
awareness of potential insurance challenges, given the potential consequences of any medication errors, care providers must remain aware of the threat of potential claims and put measures in place to mitigate any risks.
Medication management Care and medication plans are at the heart of every resident’s care. Not only do these records help to provide the highest possible standard of care for every resident, but they also help to ensure staff are working with the maximum level of safety and efficiency. Readers will understand the pressure
residential care providers are under to improve efficiencies and maintain the quality of care, in spite of rising staff costs, staff shortages and increasingly complex requirements of residents. When staff are stretched for time, it is
little surprise that mistakes will be made in order to deliver care. Paperwork is
November 2021 •
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com 27
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