Medicines in Australian nursing homes: A cross-sectional observational study of the accuracy and suitability of re-packing medicines into pharmacy-supplied dose administration aids

Appropriate use of dose administration aids

“…Unintended discrepancies in the contents occur in more than 10% of patients (failure to communicate medication changes, dispensing or packing errors) 8,12,13 Regular medication reconciliation is required…”

A comparison of medication administration errors from original medication packaging and multi-compartment compliance aids in care homes: A prospective observational study

“…1,14 The research team had expertise in relevant research methods and previous experience of undertaking research in CHs. Information collected included: the time of medication administration; resident age and gender; administered medication name and strength; if the medication was administered from an OP or MCA; whether the administered medication was a tablet or capsule and its quantity; if the medication was crushed; if the staff administering medications observed and signed for administration; and if the administered medication matched information contained on the MAR and details of any discrepancies identified.…”

“…12 Published research has also explored pharmacist perceptions of stability issues associated with medications packed into MCAs 13 and pharmacy dispensing incidents associated with their preparation. 14 The aim of this study was to use a prospective observational study design to compare the effect of OP and MCAs on the accuracy of medication administration in nursing and residential CHs located in Greater London.…”

Quality Verification of Six Medicines in Wholes and Halves Tablets, Re-Packaged in Individual Plastic Compartments During Sixty Days

“…The organization in health services must facilitate the dispensation and to improve the medicines distribution. In some pharmacies it is common to transfer the medicines from the original container to another temporary package (in blister or sachet) [13] that are placed in portables furniture drawers [14] and they are distributed daily to the various services through a system with separate doses per hospitalized patient, known as unit dose system. In this way, every day the treatment is updated and the necessary adjustments are made according to the medical prescription.…”