Medication management issues 'should not be present in 21st century care'

The Care Quality Commission’s ‘State of Care’ report highlights the multiple issues care services still face when managing medication, according to Norman Niven, the CEO of one of the UK’s leading medication management specialists .

Published last month, the ‘State of Care’ report is the regulator’s most comprehensive study of care sector services in England to date. Drawing information from thousands of inspections, the findings raised concerns over the current pressures care providers are faced with, alongside the challenges posed by a population that continues to age. However, Mr Niven is keen to see that the report’s findings on drugs and medication use are not overlooked as a lesser issue.

Mr Niven comments: “This report has indicated how some care services are falling well short of the required standards, particularly when it comes to record-keeping and medication management. Not managing medication properly can lead to an increased risk of drug error and wastage and result in lengthy round times. This is inevitably detrimental to patient care and safety.

“The CQC said it had received complaints from the public stating concerns to this effect and, following an investigation, the watchdog agreed that not all of them had been addressed in an appropriate manner and that some were left unexplored for several months. These are issues that should not be present in 21st century care, not least when there are tools available to counteract them.

“We hope this is something the care sector will take heed of following this report so that fewer errors are made when it comes to looking after the people who need it most.”

As well as looking to reduce the risks to patient safety, Mr Niven seeks to draw carers attention to the benefits of being able to show one’s professionalism, saying: “Poor record-keeping means that even if the care at a home is fantastic, it cannot prove this to the CQC and will get lumped together with the poor performers.

“There is already relatively inexpensive technology available that can maintain an accurate and confidential record for each person, including information about that individual’s care and treatment.”

For our original news coverage of the ‘State of Care’ report see: www.carehome.co.uk/news/article.cfm/id/1558407/cqc-chief-warns-there-are-no-excuses-to-deliver-poor-care