Lead: Jeanny Jarabejo (BSc Nursing)
Link: TBC
Goal:
To improve medication compliance for service users, ensuring safer and more effective management of medications for improved health outcomes.
Action 1
Review and Rationalise Medication Plans
What:
Work with GPs and pharmacists to reduce unnecessary medications and simplify regimens where possible.
Why:
Reducing the number of medications and administration times can improve compliance and reduce risks of side effects or errors.
Outcome:
1 January 2025
All service users who are identified as level 3 or where Social Care Alba (SCA) collects medication on their behalf have moved to pharmacies closer to their home, thereby reducing travel time. Fewer pharmacies have been used, thereby making building relationships with each pharmacy easier. Those service users on a weekly delivery have, where possible moved to a monthly collection, reducing the number of pick ups required and lessening the risk of medications being out of stock.
Action 2
Ensure Medication Administration Charts (MAR) are available to all Service Users at Level 3
What:
Require that all Level 3 Service Users (SU) have a clear medication administration chart (MAR chart) provided by their pharmacist.
Why:
A MAR chart ensures accurate and consistent medication administration by carers. It acts as a record of the medication delivered by the pharmacy within a set time period. Together these allow easier audit of stock, facilitates the return of old medication, identifies any instructions given by the GP and allows accurate population of electronic medication records (eMAR).
Outcome:
1 January 2025
All service users at level 3 have an accompanying MAR supplied by the dispensing pharmacy. MAR charts are photographed and added to SU files on PASS and are used to update the eMAR system. This allows SU, families and SCA to monitor medication prescribed, delivered and taken.
Action 3
Implement Electronic Medication Recording (eMAR)
What:
Transition to eMAR for all Level 2 and 3 service users to digitise medication records.
Why:
eMAR reduces errors, improves record-keeping, and provides real-time updates for management and families.
Outcome:
1 January 2025
All SU at level 2 or 3 have access to eMAR. This allows 24/7 real time monitoring of medication administration for S.U, families and care staff.
Action 4
Provide Medication Management training, open to families
What:
Train staff, service users, and their families in medication management, including proper storage, recognising side effects, and the importance of adherence.
Why:
Educating everyone involved reduces errors and increases confidence in managing medications.
Outcome:
1 January 2025
All staff including new applicants complete medication training online and by attending medication workshops. Employees undergo observed practise monthly for the first 3 months, then 2 monthly thereafter which includes medication management. All staff are required to read core company policies which includes medication administration. A medication app and training workshops are available on both the staff and SU/Family websites.
Action 5
Conduct Regular Medication Audits
What:
Perform monthly audits of medication administration records to ensure compliance and identify patterns of missed doses.
Why:
Regular audits improve accountability and help identify areas for improvement.
Outcome:
1 January 2025
We undertook a large-scale review of medication administration across all SU, which included wording of medication plans, audit of medication levels, training delivered, pharmacies used, compliance aids, safe storage and medication delivery or mAR supply issues.
Action 6
Develop a Medicine Compliance Resource Hub
What:
Provide a centralised resource hub with easy-to-understand guides and videos on medication management.
Why:
Empowering users and families with information promotes independence and compliance.
Outcome:
1 January 2025
We created 2 dedicated websites, one for SU/Families the other for Staff. These sites have guidance on apps, training and resources related to medication management. In addition all SU or their families have access to Open PASS which includes medication monitoring through eMAR.
Action 7
Conduct an Impact Review
What:
Evaluate the project’s outcomes through service user and family surveys, compliance statistics, and audits.
Why:
Regular evaluation ensures accountability and identifies areas for improvement.
Outcome:
1 January 2025
We continue to schedule regular service reviews, staff observations, medication audits and reports. These are summarised and presented to our Shared Management Team (SMM) every quarter for evaluation. Any amendments to this plan are reflected online within 7 days of agreement.
Addendum
Useful Documents and Resources
- Royal Pharmaceutical Society – Managing Medicines in the Community
- Care Inspectorate Medication Management Procedures (PDF)
- NHS Inform – Medicines & Medical Aids