Page 71 - Staff Handbook 2024

Medication Management
Supporting people to take their
medication is an important aspect
of maintaining their health and
wellbeing. Medication management
will be listed in the customer’s
support plan.
Strict guidelines apply to providing
assistance with medication and the
following procedures must be adhered
to at all times. If you are ever unsure,
contact your Coordinator.
Staff who are qualified to assist
clients with medication may assist or
prompt a customer with medication
that is dispensed by a pharmacist
in a Dose Administration Aid (e.g. a
Webster pack) – a system of packaging
where each blister contains specific
medication needed at a specific time.
You may:
•
Prompt a customer to take their
medication by reminding them
to do so
•
Assist a customer with the blister
pack by identifying the day and time
of the dosage
•
Dispense the medication into a cup,
a specially designed container or
the customer’s hand if the customer
is physically unable to pop the
medication from the blister pack (do
not touch the medication yourself)
•
First, ensure that the blister pack has
not been tampered with and then
remove the required medication for
the customer, ensuring the date and
time is correct
•
Speak with the customer if they are
worried about the packaging of a
blister pack.
Report to your Coordinator any
discrepancies observed in the
blister pack, e.g. missed doses,
doses incorrectly taken, evidence
of tampering or damage to the
packaging, any loose pills where packs
are normally stored and any unusual
signs or symptoms of a customer’s
behaviour or wellbeing.
Some customers will have a
medication chart to be completed
when medications are given from
a blister pack. If you are unsure
how to complete the form, ask your
Coordinator.
Note — You cannot assist a customer
with medication when it is dispensed
in a prescription stock container or
a dosette box. The customer or a
family member must administer the
medication themselves.
Medication Management
— RNs or ENs Only
RNs can administer medication and
ENs who do not have a notation on
their registration can administer
medication from a blister pack,
or administer a customer’s own
medication that is dispensed and
labelled by a pharmacist, subject
to the relevant nursing regulatory
authorities and current state and
territory legislation and regulations.
Note—RNs and authorised ENs are
required to operate within their
scope of practice and understand
the therapeutic action of medicines,
including the reason for their use and
the effects of usage.
Service Descriptions 71