Learn More About - Medicines

Part of our role includes helping others with their medication.  This may involve reminders, dispensing medicines or arranging for medication to be delivered.  Though much guidance is written for Care Homes, little is available for Care at Home.  Here we look at the most common questions for staff and service users, as well as offering links to further useful guidance.

Should you have any questions on medication then please contact the office who will pass your enquiry to our Pharmacy - Professional Advisor

1.    What does MARS stand for?

MARS stands for Medication Administration Record Sheet.  It is used to record the type of medicine, dose and the time a medicine has been given to or administered.  The MARS lets you monitor the current medicines prescribed by a doctor and dispensed by the pharmacy.

2.     Am I responsible for a service users’ medication?

This will depend on the service user; most service users can take their medication themselves.  Others will be supported by their families or require only prompting or reminders that they should take their medication.

Where we are responsible for assisting with service users’ medication then a signed authorisation form will be completed by the service user of their representative.  A personal plan will be on file to advice staff what our responsibilities are.

3.     Where should medication be stored?

Usually medication is stored out me reach from children, in a cool and dry place.  However some medications have specific storage conditions which may include storage in a fridge or in the case of controlled drugs in a secure location.

4.     How do you safely dispense medication?

• Before you start put gloves on because:
• The medication might contain harmful chemicals
•  You might be allergic to medicine
• It prevents contamination

Next check the pharmacy label and MAR sheet make sure the medication label is correct (Service User’s name, medication name, administration time and amount)

Be careful of medications which look alike or sound alike, it is worth taking time to read medication’s name properly.  If you are working with a colleague ask them to double check with you.

Only when the medication has been taken or given to the service user should the MAR sheet be marked accordingly.

5.     What side effects should I look for?

Side effects vary depending on the medication taken.  The likelihood of having side effects from medications may be related to your age, weight, sex, and overall health. Additionally, ethnicity and race or the severity of disease may increase the possibility of side effects. 

 Although many side effects are minor and not harmful, they can be a sign of danger or an indication that your drug is not working properly.

You should let your doctor know if you have:

     Abdominal pain

     Blurred vision

     Constipation

     Diarrhea

     Headaches

     Loss of appetite

     Memory loss

     Palpitations

     Problems with coordination

     Ringing in the ears

     Skin rashes or hives

     Swelling of hands or feet

     Syncope (loss of consciousness or fainting)

6.     What happens if I make or notice an error?

If you make or notice an error, let your manager or the office know immediately.  Write down on the medication sheet the error, reason for it and action taken, signing your notes.  It is always better to raise awareness of errors so that we can:

•      Protect the health of service users
•          Improve our practice
•          Maintain a culture of openness.
•          Prevent a culture of fear, secrecy or apathy.

 7.     What if I drop a medicine on the floor?

DON’T give it to the service user.  Make sure you discard it safely and write down on the MAR sheet what happened, signing your entry.  Let your manager and the office know as additional medication may require to be ordered to replace the discarded tablet.

8.  What if I have given or taken the wrong medication?

Let your manager and office know immediately.  Record the error in the MAR sheet and sign your entry.  Contact the service users GP for advice.  Record the advice given by the GP on the MAR sheet and continuation sheets.

9.     Where can I get more information?

To learn more about medication best practise you can:

•          Undertake e-learning
•          Speak with your Team Leader
•          Speak with the Professional Advisor
•          Read more guidance from SCSWIS HERE
•          Read more guidance from the NMC HERE
•          Attend a training workshop.
•          Visiting or posting questions on our FORUM.

       

Sharada Heath - Professional Advisor - Pharmacy