Certificate in understanding the safe handling of medicines free essay sample

Question 2. Carla has received a delivery of medication from the pharmacy. List the information that she should check prior to storing the medication away:- a) The dispensed medication has the correct service users name on the label/prescription. b) The dispensed medication is the same as that is on the label/prescription. c) The quantity received is the same as that on the label/prescription d) The strength is the same as that on the label/prescription e) The form of medication is the same as that on the label prescription. Question 3 When booking medication in, which five pieces of information must be recorded? 1) Date of receipt 2) Name, strength and dosage of the medication 3) Quantity received plus any carried over from the last prescription renewal. 4) Name of the service user for whom the medication was prescribed. 5) Signature of the member of staff who received and checked the medication. Question 4. Describe the procedure that should be followed to renew a repeat prescription:- a) The manager or the designated officer raises a prescription renewal form which is sent to the G. P. b) The G. P. authorises the prescription for the requested medication. c) Depending on local policy and the agreement between the G. P., pharmacy and the care setting, the prescription will either be directly forwarded to the contracted pharmacist for dispensing, or it will be returned to the care setting from where it will be taken to the pharmacist. d) If the prescription is returned to the care setting, the manager or designated person should check the prescription to ensure that all the details have been entered correctly. If a discrepancy is found at this stage it should be referred back to the G. P. e) Once the prescription is with the pharmacy, the pharmacist will double check the prescription and dispense the medication as prescribed. f) The way in which the care setting receives medication will depend on local agreement. In case cases the medication will be preapred for collection and in other cases the medication will be delivered directly to the care setting. Question 5. Describe the procedure that should be followed for obtaining medication in an emergency situation:- When a service user requires a supply of medicine that they have not had before or do not need to take on a regular basis, this is known as an acute supply. Acute prescritions are more likely to be written when an individual has a new health problem and they have seen a G.P. The acute medication will not be listed on the G. P. ’s list of repeat prescriptions because it is obtained as and when it is needed. Such an example is a course of antibiotics perhaps to treat a chest infection. The treatment is usually for a specified period of time. Individual care organisations must have a policy that details the correct way to deal with acute pres criptions. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society emphasises the importance of ensuring that an acute supply of medication is started as son as possible, and within 24 hours at the latest. In circumstances where a prescription has been written out of pharmacy hours, it is good practice for the designated person to ask the prescriber if the medication needs to be started immediately or if it can wait until the next working day. If the prescriber advises that the medication needs to be dispensed urgently, the words URGENT should appear on the prescription. It is therefore important to be aware of which local pharmacies are open for extended hours, or can dispense urgent medication out of hours. Question 6. Describe the procedure for obtaining â€Å"as and when required (PRN)† medication:- Any medication that is prescribed on a PRN basis should have an up-to-date protocol drawn up by the doctor prescribing the medication. The record should state: a) Under which circumstances the medication should be administrated. b) How much of the medication can be given within a specified time period. c) What to do if the medication does not have the desired effect. d) Any special notes specific to the individual, for example, expected side effects. PRN medication can be ordered on a repeat prescription, along with any other medication the service user may be taking. However care must be taken to check existing stock levels in order to avoid the over-ordering of medication. If stock levels are sufficient enough to last until the next order date they should be left off the repeat order. Question 7. Mrs Smith’s condition has been deteriorating and she is now in need of nursing care. She is being transferred from your care setting to a home that can meet her nursing care needs. You have been asked to sort out her medication for transfer. Explain the procedure you should follow and identify any information that must be recorded about the medications:- In order to ensure the continuity of care when a service user is being transferred to another setting it is important that their medication is sent with them. The new care service may not have the necessary medication available to them so by sending the medication with the service user, you are ensuring that they receive the correct medication at the correct time. It is just as important that a copy of theMAR sheet is also sent with the person, as this will inform the new care setting of which medicines have been taken and which need to be taken. As soon as the date for transfer is confirmed, the pharmacist should be informed in order that arrangements can be made for any outstanding medication to be dispensed into suitable containers ready for the transfer. The supplying pharmacist may also need to repackage any medication that has been supplied in a monitored dose system. When a service user is transferred to a new setting, a record should be made of the medicines that were sent with the individual. The record should detail the: a) Date of transfer b) Name, form and strength of the medicine c) Quantity being transferred. Name of the service user for whom the medication is prescribed e) Details of any guidance instructions regarding the medication f) Signature of the member of staff who arranged the transfer g) Signature of the member of staff who received the medication at the point of transfer. Question 8. Explain how the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 relate to the storage of medication:- In order to comply with the COSHH Regulations 2002, in relation to the storage of medicine, the organisation must ensure that: 1) Medicines are stoed in a secure and safe manner. Medicines are not used beyond their expiry date/past their â€Å"shelf life† 3) There is adequate ventilation in the clinical room/storage area 4) Procedures are issued for actions to take if a spillage occurs 5) Medicines are safely and appropriately disposed of 6) Staff receive training in the safe storage of medication Under these regulations it is important that you:- 1) Be aware of your company’s policies and procedures in relation to COSHH 2) Be aware of any risk assessments that have been carried out 3) Comply with any instructions that have been issued. Comply with any training that you have undertaken, ensuring that you store substances according to their specific instructions 5) Use personal protective equipment when needed 6) Report any problems immediately Question 9. Describe the requirements for storing medicines, including controlled drugs within each of the following workplace settings:- Clinical setting (e. g. hospital) – Requirements for the storage of medication:- All clinical care settings should have systems in place to ensure the safestorage of medication. The decision on where to store medicines will depend on the size of the setting and the types of medicines that need to be stored. The important factors in the storage of medication are security, temperature control, any special storage instructions and an overall need to comply with the law. Medication can be stored in a clinical room, medicine cupboards, medicines trolley or refrigerated storage (if needed), but all should locked for security. Requirements f or the storage of controlled drugs:-