Development and perceived effects of an educational programme on quality and safety in medication handling in residential facilities

Abstract

The programme improved staffs' motivation and confidence and their perceived ability to handle residents' medication safely through improved role clarification, safety culture, medication handling and patient empowerment and communication skills.

Community pharmacists as educators in Danish residential facilities: a qualitative study

“…The interviews were conducted by researchers from Pharmakon -The Danish College of Pharmacy Practiceand were transcribed in summary [15] or audiotaped and transcribed in full [16] by the interviewer. Most interviews were conducted with managers and staff separately.…”

“…[5] It proved feasible and had the potential to reduce medication errors, but relying on pharmacists visiting the facility regularly was inadequate due to a great need for daily observations and frequent follow-ups on medication. [15,16] A quantitative evaluation of one of the programmes showed significant effects on staff motivation, confidence, safety climate and competences in patient empowerment, communication with healthcare professionals and medication handling. Based on the experiences from this study, two further studies were initiated sequentially to develop, test and evaluate educational programmes on quality and safety in medication handling through competence development among residential facility staff, engaging community pharmacists as educators.…”

“…[5] Thus, community pharmacists had the potential to assist staff in preventing medication errors, but staff providing care still had to conduct the medication handling every day. [16] In nursing homes, most pharmacist-led interventions are aimed directly at patients. [15,16] A quantitative evaluation of one of the programmes showed significant effects on staff motivation, confidence, safety climate and competences in patient empowerment, communication with healthcare professionals and medication handling.…”

“…Based on the experiences from this study, two further studies were initiated sequentially to develop, test and evaluate educational programmes on quality and safety in medication handling through competence development among residential facility staff, engaging community pharmacists as educators. [15,16] A quantitative evaluation of one of the programmes showed significant effects on staff motivation, confidence, safety climate and competences in patient empowerment, communication with healthcare professionals and medication handling. [16] In nursing homes, most pharmacist-led interventions are aimed directly at patients.…”

“…[15,16] A quantitative evaluation of one of the programmes showed significant effects on staff motivation, confidence, safety climate and competences in patient empowerment, communication with healthcare professionals and medication handling. [16] In nursing homes, most pharmacist-led interventions are aimed directly at patients. [17] However, a pharmacistled educational session for staff regarding medication administration proved a significant reduction in medication errors.…”