Medication Reconciliation

Staff from St Brendan’s Community Nursing Unit Loughrea participated in a project in 2013/14 which aimed to improve information re client’s medication sent to acute hospital. This was achieved by developing a transfer... [ view full abstract ]

Staff from St Brendan’s Community Nursing Unit Loughrea participated in a project in 2013/14 which aimed to improve information re client’s medication sent to acute hospital. This was achieved by developing a transfer form that captured information on resident’s medication in use in unit. Each time a resident was transferred to the acute hospital information re medication was sent to the receiving hospital. This information was tested using Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) worksheets to identify gaps or deficiencies and to ensure relevant information was captured.
Clarification was needed on an average of 3 issues per resident which included:
• Allergies,
• Clarification of drug names / doses/ administration times,
• Swallowing difficulties,
• INR target,
• Clarity on if crushing was necessary,
• Nutritional supplements in use,
• Recent antibiotic use,
• Resident’s weight,
• Medication patches,
• Oxygen Therapy,
• Depot injections and Retail pharmacy.
A series of PDSA Cycles were conducted modifying and improving our discharge/transfer form until it captured the precise, reliable information necessary about each resident’s. Check list ensured we shared knowledge re resident’s medication consistently and correctly and made a positive contribution to the organisation of care.This has resulted in improved outcomes for resident because they receive appropriate treatment in a timely fashion in acute hospital hence their recovery and discharge is more efficient. Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) worksheets are a good method of examining how we do something and improving the process.