Medication Management in Home Care Settings
About Our Care Agency in Cumbria
We've provided private care services in Penrith, Keswick, Carlisle and the Eden Valley since 2002. We aim to provide information, support and guidance to our own in-home care team in Cumbria and our clients, their families and other partners.
Managing medications in a home care setting can be challenging. As a manager, you may feel frustrated that carers still make mistakes or don't follow the correct procedures despite proper training. A common issue can be carers copying previous carers' mistakes when administering and recording medication.
Home carers support people in their own homes without the supervision or oversight that care workers in other settings benefit from so it's important to have a clear policy that everyone understands. Here are some tips to help improve medication management in your organisation:
Medication Training
Ensure that all staff members receive in-depth training in medication management, including proper administration techniques, understanding medication schedules, and recognising potential side effects or adverse reactions. Medication training is given during induction but this needs updating regularly so that the procedures are clearly communicated to everyone.
Here are some tips on how to include more medication awareness in work:
- Without naming employees try including real-life MAR charts and records in team meetings, to illustrate how errors have occurred. Go through the main points about administering and recording medications properly including controlled drugs. Before the meeting ask home carers if there are any procedures they would like you to go through in the meeting. This can be done confidentially so carers don't have to admit they are unclear about procedures in front of their supervisors or team members.
- During on-site supervision observe carers administering and recording medications so that you can provide them with any extra advice or support to improve their practice.
- Before a carer's annual appraisal check the medication records they have completed to see if they need some more guidance. Discuss the medication policy, and ask if they need any help or advice with the procedures.
- When you audit medication ensure that any errors you have observed are communicated to the carer and ensure they understand the correct procedures.
- Ask your home carers what kind of medication training would help them to better understand and implement medication procedures and how often they need the training.
Clear Medication Procedures
Develop a clear and concise policy and procedure for medication management. Refer to NICE guidance when creating or reviewing your medication procedures. Ensure that all staff members are aware of these guidelines and follow them diligently.
To promote engagement with home carers, ask for their feedback about the procedures such as:
- Is the procedure easy to follow or are there areas that don't make sense?
- What suggestions do they have for improving the procedure?
- What changes would they like to see made regarding the procedure?
Remember too that office staff and senior carers will be the first port of call for home carers needing advice about medication support, so make sure your senior carers, supervisors and office team understand the procedures and can give clear guidance.
Regular Supervision and Oversight
Implement a system of regular supervision and oversight to monitor medication administration. This can be incorporated into the supervision system you already have in place. Ensure that when trainers and supervisors have any contact with home carers they assess their knowledge of medication procedures and provide positive support and guidance. Trainers, supervisors and senior carers should be encouraged to always monitor medication practice when they are on-site at a client's home.
Conduct periodic spot checks and monthly audits to ensure that medications are being administered correctly. Keep a record of errors and categorise them so that you know which medication errors are most occurring in your organisation. This will enable you to coach carers about specific errors rather than focussing on areas in which they are already competent.
Digital Medication Solutions
Embrace technology such as medication management software or apps that can help in scheduling and tracking medications. These tools can send reminders to both carers and clients, reducing the likelihood of missed doses. Digital MAR charts are much easier to monitor and audit for home care providers as you can access them at any time instead of waiting for paper MAR charts to be returned to the office.
Collaboration with Pharmacists & Healthcare Providers
Work closely with pharmacists ensuring that they are aware when you administer medication for a person. Discuss any concerns you have about medication with them or any issues your team face when supporting people with medication in the community. Maintain open lines of communication with healthcare providers. Report any concerns, changes in the client's condition, or side effects promptly to the prescribing doctor or nurse.
Conduct regular medication reviews in collaboration with healthcare professionals. Ensure that medications are up-to-date, and eliminate unnecessary or duplicate medications. Regular reviews can also identify potential drug interactions.
Client and Family Education
Educate clients and their families about the medications being administered. Ensure they understand the importance of following prescribed schedules and provide clear instructions on what to do in case a dose is missed.
Supportive Work Environment
Foster a supportive work environment where staff members feel comfortable asking questions and seeking help when uncertain about medication-related issues. Make sure home carers know who they can seek advice from both during office hours and out of hours. Ensure that senior carers, supervisors and managers have the right skills to offer the correct medication advice in a supportive manner.
We asked our group of care professionals what marketing strategies they found most effective. You can see the results here or ask them any questions you might have about marketing or any other care sector issues. Find free resources, templates and guides to help you improve and grow your care business.
“Can we use DBS certificates from previous employers with a risk assessment or should we undertake our own checks on the Update Service?”
You can accept a DBS from a previous employer if the applicant has signed up for the DBS Update Service. Otherwise, it’s advisable to apply for a new Enhanced DBS.
Apply for and wait for the results of the Adults First Check. This will provide information about whether the person is on the barred list. You can start the carer once the Adults First Check is back as long as you can meet the criteria above.
DBS guidance can be complex, and getting it wrong can have serious consequences. Find answers to care provider questions about the DBS process.
Speaking to your clients or their family about how much care will cost can be difficult. Share this guide to care costs to help them understand what they may be entitled to.
Navigating the health system can be daunting for our clients and their families often finding themselves being referred from one department to another. This helpful article explains how the health and social care system works as a whole and provides a useful guide for our clients and their families.
If you're concerned about clients that might wander or go missing, complete the Herbert Protocol form and improve the chances of finding them quickly.