Contents
1 Aim
As none of the trust day care facilities hold stocks of medication, patients bring their own medication with them on their day of attendance. Staff are to safely store their medication and administer it to or assist them at the required time.
The aim of this procedure is to set out the specific arrangements for the safe storage and administration of patients’ own medication within the trust day care facilities.
2 Scope
The contents of this procedure are only applicable to staff and patients within the trust day care facilities (mental health and learning disabilities day services).
3 Link to overarching policy
This SOP overarched by and should be read in conjunction with the safe and secure handling of medicines manual.
4 Procedure
4.1 Assessment of level of support required
All patients attending day care facilities are to have a full health and social needs assessment completed, which will also include the level of support required in respect of the administration of their prescribed medication. Any identified support needs are to be included in the patient’s care plan.
4.2 Care planning
To ensure the safe administration of medication by staff in the day care facilities, the following details must be included in the patient’s care plan:
- the nature and extent of any assistance that is required
- patient’s capacity or consent if the medication is to be administered to them
- list of all current prescribed medication including:
- name of medication
- dose
- arrangements for the administration of any medication to be taken as required (PRN)
4.3 Consent issues
Consent is assessed and recorded in line with the consent to care and treatment policy.
4.4 Levels of support
With respect to the administration or assistance with medication, it is important that staff differentiate between the two.
4.4.1 Assistance
Can be given to patients who are able to take responsibility for their medication but may ask staff to help them to:
- open a container
- store the medication safely until they need to take it
- all medication stored in day centre premises should be in a locked cupboard
- can be offered by both qualified and non-qualified nursing staff within the clinical team
4.4.2 Administering medication
This includes:
- selecting and preparing the medication for the patient to take
- applying creams and ointments
- inserting drops to ears, nose or eyes
- assisting with the administration of any inhaled medicines
This can only be undertaken by a qualified nurse or a nurse associate who has undertaken the level 2 certificate in the safe handling of medication in health and social care administration for staff who are a band 3 or above.
4.5 Arrangements for patients who lack capacity to manage their own medication
- An appropriate care plan should be created in the patients.
- When the patient arrives at the day care facility, staff are to ask the person who is accompanying them if the patient has brought any medication with them. Where they are being transported by bus or taxi drivers then the bag containing any medication should be checked by the staff.
- Any medication is to be handed to the day care facility staff and recorded on the running board. Tablets should be counted in at the start of the day and should be signed by two staff members.
- The medication is then to be locked in the medication cupboard. Staff who are working in premises which are not owned by the trust should refer to the locally agreed protocol for the safe storage of medicines.
- The medication is to be checked against the list received from the general practitioner to ensure that the patient has brought the correct medication with them. This can be checked against SystmOne records or repeat prescription counterfoil.
- A drug record is to be kept for any medication which is to be administered by staff, this is to be signed and dated when the medication is given by two staff members. This should be recorded on the diamond centre medication record sheet (staff access only)(opens in new window).
- All medication given must be in the original container, and clearly labelled with the name of the drug, patient’s name, dosage and frequency, as requested in the referral letter.
- Medication will be returned to the either the patient or whoever is to accompany them home (dependent on their cognitive functioning) when they leave the day care facility. The number of tablets should again be counted, and the balance signed by one staff member, unless it is controlled medication in which case two staff members are to sign the balance. If medication is kept on the site overnight, it would be at the manager’s discretion and in accordance with the safe and secure handling of medicines manual.
- Medication in a nomad system should not be entered on the record as individual tablets. It should be entered as the number of tablets to be given at the designated time and patients will be assisted to take them.
- Rescue medication should be:
- expiry date checked at a minimum 3 monthly
- separated from all other medication
- accompanied by specific trust policy regarding the rescue medication
4.6 Reporting errors and incidents
Any medication errors, including medication being wrongly administered, omitted, or misplaced is to be reported on the trust electronic incident reporting system. In addition to this, the patient’s consultant or general practitioner is to be informed of any wrongly administered or omitted medication, and a record made in the patient’s clinical records. Regarding any misplaced medication, as well as the loss being reported on the electronic reporting system, arrangements will also need to be made for the patient to be provided with another prescription. Any errors should be recorded via the IR1 system.
5 Appendices
5.1 Appendix A
Document control
- Version: 6.
- Unique reference number: 131.
- Date ratified: 8 November 2021.
- Ratified by: Clinical policies review and approval group.
- Name of responsible individual: Medicines management committee.
- Date issued: 18 November 2021.
- Review date: November 2024.
- Target audience: Clinical staff working in trust day care facilities (mental health services and learning disabilities day services).
- Description of change: General review and a new external appendix.
Page last reviewed: April 24, 2024
Next review due: April 24, 2025