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Medication Awareness and Safe Handling of Medication

Overview

This course will give learners an insight into the procedures that should be followed when taking charge of a person's medication outside of a health setting. It discusses requesting prescriptions, maintaining records, storing, administering and disposing of medication, self-medication and issues that might arise in the administration of medication.

Audience

The course is intended for people who are involved in looking after medication for anyone outside of a healthcare setting, including:

  • Carers in domiciliary settings
  • Carers in care homes
  • Managers of care providers
  • Family members who want to understand more about safe handling of medication

    About this course

    This course is split into two modules:

  • Medication Awareness
  • Safe Handling of Medicines
  • Objectives

    In this course you will learn about:

  • The principles of safe and appropriate handling of medicines set out by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
  • The importance of record-keeping
  • Prescription requests
  • Medication for people who lack capacity
  • Medication storage
  • The disposal of medicines
  • Administering medication, including supporting self-administration
  • The use of monitored dosage systems
  • Privacy and confidentiality
  • Training
  • Reporting errors
  • Transfers to other settings

    Content

    Here are some of the topics covered in the modules:

    The importance of good record-keeping; What are Medication Administration Records?; What to request on a repeat prescription; The difference between repeat and acute medicine; Treating minor ailments; How to store medicines; The safe disposal of medicines; Administering medication; What to do if someone is unable to swallow; Covert administration of medication; The use of monitored dosage systems; What is secondary dispensing?; The importance of ensuring privacy, confidentiality and dignity; Dealing with controlled drugs; Training for care workers; Reporting errors; Transfers to other settings.