New research highlights the need for improved medication safety for residents
01 October 2009
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A Government study due to be released next week is likely to cause major concern within the care sector as it suggests that half of residents in Care Homes experience a medication error of some type whilst in care.
The Care Homes Use of Medicines Study (CHUMS) ran over 2 years and is the largest study of its kind. It has highlighted that errors can occur at prescribing level, dispensing level and at the point of administration.
Professor Nick Barber, London School of Pharmacy and author of the report, told Pharmacy Plus that although not all errors were fatal, the findings showed the need for better systems. Monitoring of drugs such as Warfarin and lack of communication were also key issues highlighted in the report.
In a recent visit to Pharmacy Plus, Professor Nick Barber was shown the new systems and solutions being developed by the Company and how these have been designed to specifically overcome these issues found in the report.
Care Homes using Pharmacy Plus services have been benefitting from improved dispensing procedures, communication practices, training and audits for a number of years.
Pharmacy Plus is currently involved in piloting a pioneering electronic solution around administration of medication and this is being researched in 15 partner homes around the UK. Pharmacy Plus is also working with key stakeholders to help promote the use of technology in achieving patient safety in medicines.
The CHUMS report will be published during the first week in October 2009. The report was featured in a News article on Channel 4 on 30th September (link here).