Megan Middleton Safe practices Unit 41. M3, D2
M3- Discuss how to ensure safe practice in the administration and storage of medicines.
Reporting
Any mistakes made when administering medication should be reported, this is to ensure that the
patient remains safe and so an assessment can take place. The assessment will allow suitable
changes to take place so that an incident like this does not reoccur. A couple of staff members may
be assigned to watch over the patient for a specific amount of time after the medication has been
given, this is to make sure that nothing happens to the patient’s health. In addition to this, the
patient’s family members, doctors and the ward manager should be informed of the drug error that
occurred.
Following correct procedure
Safe practice is applied when policies are followed, this may include the 5 r’s. The5 r’s are applied
when administering medication, when these are checked, it can be confirmed that the professional
is successfully applying safe practice when administering medication. Once is it checked that the
medication has been prescribed to the patient in question, it certifies that the patient is not
consuming somebody else’s medication, as this could be fatal. In assuring that the correct patient
has been given the correct medication, it minimises the chance of allergic reactions or fatal side
effects. Also, ensuring that the correct dosage has been administered means that the patient will not
become over-medicated, as this could prove fatal, it also ensures that they are not being under-
medicated, so that their symptoms do not remain. The correct route in which the medication will be
administered must also be established, as this proves that the health professional is capable of
following a care plan. An example of this may be if a medication is being administered through IV
(intravenous), then the patient can administer the medication themselves when they need it as the
patient will have a button to release medication from the drip, this may be something like morphine.
If the medication is administered incorrectly, then the medication may take longer to start working.
The medication must also be given at the correct time, this is to avoid an accidental overdose, so a
medication administration record should be filled out by the member of staff who administered the
medication. This is to make other staff members aware when the patient is due medication.
Keeping record of storage
All medications within the health or social care setting should be recorded and accounted for. This is
to make other staff members aware what medications are in date, what medications are being used
and to monitor if medication is being stolen or lost. Any stolen medication may be down to
members of staff. Stolen medications can cause harm to the individual who stole it or to whomever
it is administered to. The professional who stole the medication may be banned from perusing a
career in health care. Storage instructions should also be followed; this will be different to each type
of medication. Also, medication should be rotated so that medication that is soon to expire will be
used in time, this will prevent it from being used after the expiry date and causing illness or death. In
addition to this, medication should be stored safely, this can be done by keeping it in a locked
cupboard and make sure that only certified members of staff have access to it. This is to ensure that
patients or children do not come into contact with this medication.
Accountability
The health care professional’s confidence may decrease once a medication administration error has
occurred, this may be why some professionals a reluctant to admit to such error. However, an error
must be reported as the well-being of the patient is priority. The patient should be treated quickly
and professionally in order to minimise any unwanted effects of the medication error. The patient
should also be closely monitored after the administration error to make sure that their condition
does not deteriorate. It is also important that the health professional is aware that they will receive
support following an administration error. And that they are not in serious trouble. This is more
