PowerPoint Presentation

[Virtual Presenter] Good morning everyone, today we will be discussing the important topic of Medication Safety. As we go through this presentation, we will review the various ways to protect people's safety when it comes to medication, the rights that individuals have, best practices for procedures, how to lessen and prevent errors, incident reports, and more. Let's get started without further ado..

[Audio] Presentation will cover a wide range of topics related to medication safety, including medication pass rights and refusals, best practices, policies and processes, training requirements, monitoring, medication storage, medication errors, incident reports, poison control, and behavioral health. An overview of these topics will be provided to discuss how they help to ensure medication safety in the Division of Developmental Disabilities..

[Audio] I will be speaking about the importance of medication safety. The aim of this presentation is to give general information to people who are helping members with their medications. This presentation does not replace medical information given by a physician or the training given to agency employees..

[Audio] Medication pass rights are of utmost importance. It is essential to have the appropriate individual administering medications, and that these medications are given at the proper time with the correct medicine, dose, and route. Documenting these events is also a crucial step. Abiding by these rights ensures the person being medicated is given the suitable medications in a secure fashion and in accordance with the prescription..

[Audio] We are examining medication safety in developmental disabilities. It is essential that individuals have the right to refuse medication, however if this occurs in a frequent fashion it can create an issue. It is important to document the refusals and if need be, report them to DDD and manage them in line with the Member's BTP. When refusals become a standard, team members must tackle it either through an existing or new BTP. Lastly, it is necessary to consult with the pharmacy or poison control as per the policy in advance of offering medication once more..

[Audio] Discussing medication pass best practices is essential. To ensure successful assistance with medications, there should be no distractions and only one staff member assisting an individual at a time. After the individual has taken their medication, the staff member should sign off on it. To further improve best practices, it is recommended to utilize only one type of charting system, either paper or electronic..

[Audio] Ensure that when members leave the premises, medication safety is prioritized. Grant them access to their prescribed medications in accordance with agency regulations, and bring along two doses of the next scheduled medication along with a copy of all medications the member is currently taking..

[Audio] When it comes to medication safety, there is an important handoff process to ensure that everyone is well informed. This includes having the medication labeled correctly with the name of the client, the name of the medication, the dose, the route of administration, any special instructions, and who is prescribing it. It is also essential that both the person giving and receiving medications sign off and count the number of medications. Finally, medications must also be stored in accordance with established policies..

[Audio] Medication safety is of utmost importance, and it's the responsibility of all staff to ensure that medications are managed correctly. In this slide, we'll be focusing on the first part of medication safety, refilling medications. Staff should be tracking when medicine refills are due, knowing if labs need to be drawn, and knowing when the doctor's appointment is scheduled. Additionally, it's important to make sure that the prescriber is verified. Is this the primary care provider or the psychiatrist? Keep medication safety top of mind..

[Audio] Today, I'm going to talk about medication refills. It is important to speak to an actual person at the pharmacy, and take their name, when requesting a refill. The first call for refill should occur when only ten days supply remains, and you should follow-up with the pharmacy at the seven day supply if the refill has not been supplied. Later in the presentation, I will provide more information on how to get assistance with refills..

[Audio] Medication safety is a significant issue with far-reaching implications for all of us. As part of the Division of Developmental Disabilities Quality Improvement, we need to have a method for tracking all medication errors or refusals. Furthermore, the incident report form needs to be filled out completely; incomplete forms limit our ability to identify the cause of the issue. Through proper adherence to these steps, we can work collaboratively to ensure medication safety for our members..

[Audio] When a medication error occurs, it is essential to call Poison Control for instructions. Repeat the instructions and follow them exactly. Notify the physician and guardian according to policy after calling Poison Control. The phone number for Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222..

[Audio] Medication errors are a serious issue that can have very serious and even fatal consequences for members. That is why it is absolutely critical that we take all necessary steps to prevent them from occurring. If a medication error does occur, it should be addressed immediately and all appropriate parties notified and the reaction and action documented. It is also important to follow up with the member's primary care physician. Taking these steps will ensure that the safety of our members is always our number one priority..

[Audio] Medication safety is of utmost importance in the Division of Developmental Disabilities Quality Improvement. Medication errors, particularly those related to behavioral health refills, can be grave. Therefore, it is critical to know which medications necessitate a review and to plan ahead by scheduling medication reviews prior to the expiration of current medications. Furthermore, it is essential to be aware of the prescribing physician, since certain prescriptions may necessitate prior authorization in order to be filled. The pharmacy will not fill a prescription unless the requisite review is conducted..

[Audio] Medication safety is an important topic, and it's vital to know who to call if you have questions about your medications. Your insurance card should have the name of your provider printed on the back. Mercy Maricopa Member Services can be reached at 602-586-1841 or toll-free at 800-564-5465 (TTY/TDD)711. Additionally, you can contact the Cenpatico Customer Care Center at 866-495-6738. CRS Clinic, which is available to members enrolled in CRS, can be reached at 800-348-4058. Knowing who to contact for questions about medications is essential..

[Audio] Becoming familiar with the contact information of other Behavioral Health Specialists and the counties they serve is an important part of the job. This slide provides contact information for various specialists along with the counties they cover. Should you have any queries regarding the counties and contact details, you can contact the specialist directly. It is also beneficial to keep this contact information readily available..

[Audio] Ensuring the safety of medications is a primary concern of the Division of Developmental Disabilities Quality Improvement. It is essential that all staff members have received adequate training in medication safety protocols, and that they adhere to them, to guarantee that our clients receive the safest and most effective care. Toward this end, the agency has established rules and regulations, including training that is mandatory at the time of hire and again at least every twelve months. Keeping our training current is indispensable, particularly in the event of a medication mistake, so that we can promptly assess what occurred and guarantee it does not happen again. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that we maintain the same system for medication related records, either paper or computerized, to minimize the chances of additional errors..

[Audio] Ensuring medication safety is essential for providing effective care to those with developmental disabilities. Ensure all instructions on the label are followed when it comes to storing medications; these must be kept locked at all times when not under direct staff control and correctly labeled. Additionally, confirm the medication has not expired and it is stored in a clean and sanitary environment. Following these guidelines guarantee a safe environment for everyone involved..

[Audio] Medication safety is an integral component in providing quality care for individuals with developmental disabilities. In order to guarantee the protection of our clients, we require adherence to several policies and regulations. Particular emphasis is placed on securely storing and locking medication, keeping all packaging and labels intact, noting any special instructions attached to the medication, and having a pharmacy reference book in the facility. Additionally, the Medication Administration Record must also be filled out..

[Audio] I trust that you have gained new understanding of this important topic and that it will be helpful to you. I invite you to take the resource packet, business card and presentation evaluation form, so you have the material at hand when you need it. Once again, thank you for your attention and I hope that this presentation has been beneficial for you..