Just A Spoonful Of Sugar Helps...
Some residents may have trouble swallowing pills. And some medicines just taste awful. So our staff comes up with innovative ways to help the medicine go down.
Systems That Organize The Process
There are prescribed medications from various doctors, orders renewed by pharmacists, changes of dosage or strength by the doctors, plus over-the-counter remedies. It can all be so confusing...and possibly overwhelming. We untangle this web with a set system of checks and balances that organize the medicines and relay changes in health conditions to the doctors.
Below are 10 actions we take to supervise and manage the medications of our residents.
Our Thorough 10 Point Medication Management Program
- For our resident’s safety, we check medication containers for content, correct labeling and expiration dates.
- Our staff ensures that the doctors’ orders are followed.
- We make sure that even over-the-counter medications have a doctor’s order to avoid the chance of adverse interactions.
- If needed (per doctor’s order) for residents on heart or hypertensive medications, we monitor heart rate and blood pressure. Any irregularities are immediately reported to the doctor(s) and the family.
- Our staff works as a team to spot changes in health condition and inform the doctor(s) and family.
- When a resident is having a tough day and resists taking his/her medication, our staff understands. But they don’t give up. Instead, with compassion, they use their professional experience and persistence to get the resident to take his/her medications.
- When new medications are introduced, our staff watches for common side effects and behavioral changes that are evidence of an adverse medication reaction.
Provides Essential Communication, Checks & Balances
- Our charting adds an extra layer of safety when an acute problem arises and our resident is treated by someone other than their own doctor.
- Our staff weighs each resident on a monthly basis. Among other things, they are looking for side effects (gain or loss) commonly caused by medications, such as diuretic therapy. If there is a change, the doctor is informed and we increase the weight checks to once per week.
- When our residents visit their doctor(s), we provide a progress report for the doctors(s). We also manage the follow-up protocols of their doctor(s) and inform the residents’ families.
Here's A Copy For You
If you would like a copy of our 10 Point Medication Managment Program to show your family and friends, just click on this pdf file and print.
