Medication


often the task that makes way, and this is a natural response from staff, it is better to miss signing a document than being unable to give a client a drink, for example. For care providers looking to minimise


risk and guarantee compliance, however, paperwork is an important exercise. Innovative providers have already


moved from paper records to electronic care and medication management systems. While the traditional method of updating paper records is still used by some care providers, this practice not only adds significant levels of administration time to carers’ and managers’ schedules, but it also puts patient safety at risk from a missed note or illegible handwriting. When using digital systems, care


plans and medication records become living documents, constantly updated throughout the day with notes and observations using a mobile tablet or phone. This ensures consistent, accurate records with a high level of detail without the added need to spend hours on paperwork.


Medicine management systems can


be accessed securely - often via an app - by any authorised staff member on shift. They received alerts and guidance on what drugs must be administered and record their actions on the system. Importantly, staff are also prompted


to provide reasons if medication has not been administered and there are internal alerts in place should anything be missed or not go to plan. Displaying this information in real time enables managers and senior colleagues to quickly act to prevent a remediable mistake leading to a serious situation.


Pharmacy integration As well as ensuring that errors are eliminated at the point of administration, many forward-thinking care providers are also establishing much closer


connections with pharmacists to ensure a safe and effective service for residents. Care homes and pharmacists have


always worked closely together to track usage, offer advice, and identify any potential problems before they occur. The government has also pledged to assign healthcare professionals - including pharmacists - to care homes to support staff and residents. Historically, however, access to patient


or resident records has presented a huge roadblock to effective cooperation. Many pharmacists will recall travelling to a care home only to discover they could not view patient records due to data protection and safeguarding laws. The increasing adoption of digital


medication systems, which enable patient data anonymisation and remote access, means that many care providers are helping pharmacists to avoid wasted time and resources. As well as speeding the process up,


the implementation of medication management technology is also helping to deliver mutual benefits for providers and care homes alike. Well Pharmacy has partnered with The Access Group to enable full integration between care homes and pharmacists, as well as allowing more efficient data transfer and


The fact is, in the current climate, providers will struggle to implement clear and consistent processes, and demonstrate compliance and accountability, without appropriate technology in place


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improved communication between the local pharmacy and the provider. The Access Group’s system also


integrates with pharmacy management systems used by most UK pharmacies, whether they be national or international pharmacy groups or local providers. The most important benefit is that


the anonymous data enabled by this integrated approach means that, as well as ensuring medicines are administered safely and any errors are highlighted as early as possible, data can be analysed and acted up before isolated incidents become more significant problems. The integration between care provider and pharmacist also means that medicine stocks are kept replenished in good time, without the extra administration typically required.


NHS Hubble project As the vaccination roll-out offers the hope of a future where Covid-19 is less of a threat to care home residents, many will start to look ahead to how services can be improved in the long-term. While many social care providers were already working in an increasingly digital world, for those waiting to make the jump, the last year has only increased the importance of introducing, using and evaluating technology to improve standards of care. For many, given the ongoing battle for


resources the question of when and how, as well as which solutions to invest in, is a complex decision-making process. This pressure led the National Care Forum to create a platform, funded by NHS Digital and partnered by The Access Group, which enables providers to share best practice from their own tech adoption. The Hubble Project is a series of


social care innovation hubs offering the www.thecarehomeenvironment.com • November 2021


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