It is essential that medication is handled correctly. Handling or administering it poorly can render it less effective and can even be dangerous. However, by following some key principles, you can make sure that the medication in your workplace or home is handled correctly.
Understanding Medication Handling
The safe handling of medication is something that should be taught to medical professionals and first-aiders. If you are concerned about the safe handling of medication, contact a training provider such as https://www.tidaltraining.co.uk/health-and-social-care-courses/safe-handling-of-medication-training to get your knowledge up to date.
Principles of Safe Medication Handling
Person-centred care is essential for medication administration. This means understanding patients’ medical histories, such as any allergies or past side effects of treatment. If an employee takes regular medication, there should be a plan in place to make sure they can access it when necessary.
Patient consent is vital and you should not administer medication without the patient’s informed consent.
Store medication correctly. Medication that is not stored correctly can become less effective. For example, if medication needs to be kept at a certain temperature, you may need to provide refrigeration for it, including when the medication is transported. You will also need to make sure that medication is stored in a way that cannot be easily accessed by unauthorised personnel. This is particularly true if children or other vulnerable people are present. For more information on how to safely store medication,
Medicine must be administered as prescribed by a medical professional to the named individual or by following the manufacturer’s instructions in over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol. Administering the correct dose by the correct method is essential. The wrong dosage or medicine administered incorrectly may result in lost efficacy with little benefit for the patient or a life-threatening overdose.
The final principle is to review medication needs and the safe handling of medication. Keep up-to-date with medical histories and any changes, as these can impact on medication needs. Also check medical supplies to make sure that all medication is within its date, safely disposing of any that might be past its best.
