There are an estimated 237 million medication errors that occur during the medication process each year in England. If medication is administered incorrectly and in an unsafe manner, it can lead to poor health outcomes for the patient—such as under- or over-dosing and side effects. There are also ethical, legal and financial implications that can arise from administering medications incorrectly.
How to administer medication safely?
Whether in a healthcare setting or at home, there are correct procedures that should be followed to help ensure that medication is given safely and effectively, reducing the risk of errors and adverse reactions.
The six rights of medication administration
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends following The Six Rights of Medication Administration to ensure medicines are administered safely. They are as follows:
- Right person
- Right medicine
- Right route
- Right dose
- Right time
- Right to decline.
Essentially, these rights should encourage checks to ensure that the right person is being given the right medication, at the right dose, at the right time, in the appropriate way.
Read our guide to the Rights of Medication Administration for a more in-depth look at these prompts.
Other checks to carry out before administering medication
In addition to the six rights, here are the other checks you should carry out before administering medication.
Check expiry dates. Expired medication can be ineffective or even harmful. Always verify the expiry date before administering any medication.
Check the discard dates. Some medication can have a discard date, as well as an expiry date. The discard date lets you know how long you can use the medicine for once it has been opened. For example, medications such as eye drops or creams need to be thrown away 28 days after they’ve been opened.
Assess for allergies and reactions. Ensure the individual has no known allergies to the medication being given. Observe for any adverse reactions, such as rashes, difficulty breathing or swelling. It’s important to familiarise yourself with the known side effects of medications that you are regularly administering.
Ensure proper storage conditions. Some medications require refrigeration or protection from light. Ensure medication is stored correctly according to guidelines. If you have concerns about how a medication has been stored, it may not be safe to administer it.
Document the administration. Accurate record-keeping is an essential part of medication support care. Log the time, dose and any observations to maintain clear medication records (and check previous logs before each administration). Remember, the individual you’re administering medication to has the right to refuse it. You should also document when this occurs and the reason the patient is giving.
Best practices for administering medication
Following best practices helps ensure medication administration is safe and effective.
- Administer in the correct environment: Where possible, administer medication in a clean, calm and distraction-free environment.
- Follow hygiene best practice: Wash hands before handling medication and use gloves when necessary. Dispose of any personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical devices and packaging appropriately.
- Use appropriate equipment: Even when administering medication in an individual’s home, you should always use the correct medical equipment for measuring and administering medications.
- Encourage independence: Where possible, support the individual to take their medication independently, under your supervision.
- Observe for side effects: Stay alert for any unusual symptoms or known side effects of the medications you’re administering.
How Comfort Care At Home ensures safe medication administration
As care professionals, following safe medication administration practices is a vital part of the support we provide. At Comfort Care At Home, we ensure all team members are fully trained and up to date with best practice. We follow clear protocols, maintain accurate records and collaborate closely with families and healthcare professionals to ensure medication is given safely and correctly.
If you’re looking to join a team that prioritises safe, person-centred medication support, we’d love to hear from you. Visit our Join Our Team page to find out more about our approach and current opportunities.