2005 Edition Report on Drug Administration Procedure & Practices ...

Operational Guidelines7. The operational guidelines include the followings :7.1 Preparation of patients7.1.1 Obtain consent form patient (either verbal or written)7.1.2 Educate patient to ensure(a) Understanding on effects, side-effects, missing dose and specialprecautions of drugs, proper method and time schedule inadministering(b) Bringing of updated “prescription” upon admission(c) Proper storage of medications(d) Proper documentations of self-medication record7.1.3 Provide training program to elderly patients with multiplemedications if required7.2 Preparation of medications- Individualised packing of medication for each patients- Provision of relevant information on medication regime for patientsupon admission7.3 Supervision of patients- Nurses are responsible to supervise individual patients, monitorpatients’- Compliance and observe for adverse drug reactions throughout theprogram7.4 Handling of non-compliance- Investigate the causes of non-compliance- Record any unfavourable medication incidence- Re-educate the patient on the proper way of drug administration- Re-assess the patient’s ability in self-medication7.5 Monitoring and evaluation- Monitor the process, compliance, unfavourable incidence and problemsencountered- Evaluate the outcomes, such as : drug compliance, patient satisfaction,staff satisfaction, cost saving etc.Responsibility of the hospital8. Though self-medication can foster a feeling of independence and control in thepatient, the hospital is responsible to provide professional support whenever necessary. Thehospital should have a mechanism in place to ensure that the operational guidelines are adhered to.It is important that the right patient receives the right medication with the right dosage, through theright route and at the right time.Nursing SectionHAHOApril, 2000(further revised in August 2000)2