M3: Discuss how to ensure safe practice in the administration and storage of medicines.
D2: Evaluate the role of safe practice in the administration and storage of medicines in terms of outcomes for individuals.
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M3: Discuss how to ensure safe practice in the administration and storage of medicines.
Following correct procedure
By adhering to policies, such as the 5 r's for example, safe practice is certified. By performing all the
appropriate checks prior to the administration of medication it can be confirmed that the
professional is performing their duty suitably. When medication is certified as the correct
medication prescribed to a patient, it warrants that the patient is not administered medication that
is not prescribed to them, which could be extremely dangerous. This decreases the risk of the
patient experiencing life-threatening side effects or being administered a medication that they may
be allergic to. Through ensuring that the patient is being administered the correct dosage, it
warrants that the medical professional is not over-medicating the patient, if the patient were being
under-medicated it could mean that they will still experience pain or that the medication will have
no effect, if the patient was over-medicated it could mean that other medications will not work well
alongside the high dosage or could even cause death (e.g. morphine overdose). Ensuring that the
medication is administered through the correct route, warrants that the medical professional can
administer medication according to a care plan. For example, if a patient's medication
administration route is intravenous (IV), it could be that they are on PCA (patient control analgesia)
meaning the patient can control their own dosage based on their pain and is for individual with
severe or uncontrolled pain, other medications can be added to control nausea or anxiety for
example. However, if the medical professional was to administer the medication orally rather than
intravenously, the patient could experience severe pain for longer as oral medications take longer to
digest. It is also important to ensure that the patient is being prescribed the correct medication at
the correct time in order to prevent an accidental overdose from occurring. This is why MAR
(medication administration record) is available to record the time the medication was administered.
Recording
The professional must record that the patient has provided consent for the administration of
medication, it provides evidence that the professional has not administered the medication
involuntarily. Consent does not always need to be provided, but the administration of the
medication must always be recorded. When the information regarding the administration of the
medication is recorded it proves that no misconduct has occurred in regard to medication and the
safety of the patients is certified.
Reporting
All mistakes must be reported in the administration of medication. This is in order for an assessment
of the incident to take place, so beneficial changes can be made to enhance the safety and overall
experience of the patient. This ensures the security of the patient's safety during the event of an
error when administering medication, this can then be investigated and professionals could then
monitor the patient. It is also important that the patient and relevant family members are informed
that a drug error has taken place, alongside doctors and the ward manager. An incident report must
also be completed and appropriate steps will be taken in order to identify how the error occurred
and how to prevent it in the future.
Accountability
A healthcare professional's self-esteem can be distressed in the event of a medication
administration error. This could account for the occasional delay when professionals admit to error.
The primary consideration must be for the well-being of the patient; they must be observed for any
serious harm caused by the error. It is imperative that the professional is aware that they have
simply made an error and that they are not in serious trouble and are supported, this encourages
professionals to report all errors regardless of how minor they seem. When managing the effects of
a medication error, it must be dealt with rapidly and efficiently in order to limit the damage caused
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