In this paper, I look into the issue of ‘medication errors in home care’. A study published by the journal of Quality and Safety in Health Care, reported the alarmingly high prevalence of medication errors among elderly patient placed in home care in U.K. Home care is normally provided by medic aides and not by nurses. Medic aides are entrusted with the responsibility of administering the prescribed drugs, at the correct time and at the correct dose to the patients. In order to perform this role, they need training that helps them familiarize with drug name, uses and side effects. Usually they are not provided any such training, and identify the drug based on certain topological features and markings made on the drug packet. Medic aides are expected to devotedly administer the medicine based on the physician/nurses advice and call the physician/nurse in case any emergency or untoward side effect may arise. (Barber et al., 2009)
The study identified that medication errors in care homes, resulted primarily from errors in prescription. The common prescription error was about the dosage of the drug and the method of taking the drug. Secondly, in most cases, the physicians and nurses are inaccessible to help in case of emergencies. High work load of the care home staffs and ineffective communication, were also identified as causes for medication error in care homes. (Barber et al., 2009)
Medication errors are preventable. Nurses can take up leadership role to ensure that the side effects and assessment procedure with regards to administering a medicine with potential harmful effects are properly communicated to the medic aide staff. It is important to prevent medication error, as it can impair the trust of the client on the system. A vigilant and responsible system to report and correct such problems when it arises, will prevent its recurrence. An effective change in this direction can be implemented only through the teamwork of home care staff and hospital staff. (Mager, 2007)
References
Barber, N., Alldred, D., Raynor, D., Dickinson, R., Garfield, S., & Jesson, B. et al. (2009). Care homes' use of medicines study: prevalence, causes and potential harm of medication errors in care homes for older people. Quality and Safety in Health Care, 18(5), 341-346. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/qshc.2009.034231
Mager, D. (2007). Medication Errors and the Home Care Patient. Home Healthcare Nurse: The Journal for The Home Care and Hospice Professional, 25(3), 151-155. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.nhh.0000263430.00438.b3
