A Medication audit tool is critical for reviewing and identifying all scopes of improvement within any operational medication system in any aged care facility. They are integral to the quality system inside the home and ensure that apart from being safe; all medication systems adhere not only to all requisite legislative and regulatory requirements as well as professional guidelines but also reflect its evidence in the practice. Mostly two types of audit tools can be used within any aged care home. Medication Management This is the first tool and this tool ensures safe, quality use of medicines as well as appropriate medication management in the aged care home. It has 17 guiding principles laid out in great details which are reflective of the evidence based practice. They are often used to review and measure both the safety and the performance of the operations. Once the audit tool has been completed, its action point should be implemented as well as the required education of the staff facilitated.
PRN Medication Management This is the second tool which looks into the requirements for the management and includes the administration of PRN medicines. These medicines require clinical assessment and approval by the Registered Nurse before it can be administered to the patients by any enrolled nurse of any personal care assistant. It also evaluates the use of PRN medicines in homes along with laying out best practice guidelines and requirements. It also assesses the follow up and evaluation of PRN medication use along with all reporting and recording requirements needed for use of these medicines. Like the first tool, once the audit tool has been completed, its action point should be implemented as well as the required education of the staff facilitated. Benefits of in-house medication audits
While we have understood the types of audit tools, we would now throw light on the benefits that such audits can go ahead and bring to your aged care facility. They are:- Ensures compliance with outcomes The Health and Social Care Act requires any care facility to assess their services against laid down Essential Standards of quality and safety. To reach its compliance level, you are required to show how you conduct your audit and monitor every aspect of management on a continual basis. How are you ensuring that the staffs are following the procedures as laid down in the policy? How do you ensure that the patients and partners are receiving appropriate medicine at the prescribed time under the supervision of a competent staff? The audit tool is the way to conform. Evidence of competence Simply providing medication training is not enough. One needs to ensure safety as well as block as much potential harm as possible due to incorrect administration of medication. Simple training of the staff does not ensure and elicit trust that the right procedure is being followed and executed. With auditing the medication, you can easily assess the competency of the staff who is administering medication on an ongoing basis.
Preventing and reducing errors Regular checking of records and individual supplies is critical to identifying potential as well as actual errors. Any inaccurate or even an incomplete record will make you certain that enough is not being done to prevent errors from happening. You can actually ensure that your staffs recognize all ‘clues’ on a MAR sheet that will prevent errors. Demonstrating accountability Audit of MAR sheets brings into focus the specific staff member who is not adhering to the correct procedure or if you are facing challenges at any specific time of day or with any specific medicine. Any hidden trends become apparent and thus corrective measures can be rolled out. Developing staff Medication audits throws light on areas of weakness in practice on all levels. This opens door for open discussion, training and rectification to help achieve compliance.
