5 benefits of digital medication management
Every care home needs an effective medication management system to ensure patient safety. Missed medication, incorrect medication or over-medicating can all cause serious illness and even fatalities.
Unfortunately, human error can occur resulting in missing paperwork, incorrect information recorded, charts not updated correctly and prescriptions not being ordered. Having a digital medication management system can help reduce these errors and improve the level of care you provide.
At Homecare Pharmacy, we are dedicated to helping care homes develop the most practical and effective systems for their organisation. Here we look at just some of the ways you can benefit from a digital medication management system.
Paper-based systems are nowhere near as efficient as electronic systems. If paperwork has been misplaced or filed incorrectly, it can lead to hours of wasted time searching for information. With an electronic system the information is recorded directly into a centralised database. There is no delay between recording information and filing it, meaning the system is always up to date.
Because digital systems are so efficient, care staff spend less time completing documentation and administrative tasks. All the information is centralised, so there is no requirement for duplicating information in various formats for various people. Less time is wasted trying to find reports in archived files, interrupting colleagues to ask for data, or trying to decipher illegible handwritten notes. The time saved on completing paperwork can be spent providing better care for residents instead.
Being able to capture data and centralise it in one place is extremely beneficial. The data can be accessed by everyone who needs it, at any location within the organisation, at any time. Information is easily communicated from shift to shift, data can be quickly accessed for doctors, and pharmacists can get real-time reports on stock levels and prescription requirements.
Digital systems can provide staff with warnings and alerts to ensure that the right medication is being administered to the right patient at the right time in the right way. The information is recorded in real time, enabling better coordination and administration of required and as-required medications. A digital system can automatically reorder medication which reduces the chances of prescriptions not being fulfilled on time.
Electronic medication management systems make it much easier to retrieve patient information during CQC inspections and audits. The CQC support the use of technology in care homes; their article, Innovative use of technology can help answer our five key questions, gives examples of how it can satisfy auditors requirements.
When you consider all the advantages we’ve outlined above, it’s easy to see why more and more care homes are investing in digital medication management systems. After all, a system that can improve efficiency, reduce workloads and improve safety, will benefit everyone.
Want to know more?
At Homecare Pharmacy, we are dedicated to helping care homes provide the highest levels of care to their residents. If you would like to find out how we can help you set up a more efficient, effective medication management system, then contact our friendly team. Our services are tailored to the needs of your organisation to ensure that they work for you, your staff and your residents. Contact us to find out more.