Medication safety is an operational cornerstone in every branch of the healthcare system. But in the senior living sector, medication administration is even more crucial as the slightest error can have serious health and wellness implications for older adults.
But considering that one in four Canadian seniors ares prescribed ten or more drug classes, we have to remember that medication errors do happen, and it's the responsibility of senior and long-term care (LTC) community operators to be open and upfront when talking to residents about this delicate issue.
Senior living staff need to be compassionate, honest, and collaborative when discussing medication errors with residents and their families. In this guide, we focus on how to discuss the issue to ensure every resident is informed and has peace of mind about their medication regimen.
Understanding Medication Errors
A medication error can happen at any stage during medication prescription, collection, or administration. By definition, these errors are preventable and are usually a result of unintended, but very human error. Lots of things can cause medication errors in the senior living sector. For example, fatigue, confusion, illegible writing, being short-staffed, poor communication between community and pharmacy, and an ever-expanding lists of prescribed medication are the typical reasons.
The most common examples of errors include:
- Mixing up similarly named medications
- Being late or missing prescribed medication
- Self-administering or receiving an incorrect dose
- Self-administering or receiving the wrong medication
- Prescribing and/or taking a dangerous combination of drugs due to overlooked interactions
Since older adults are more likely to have health issues, these errors have bigger consequences that range from discomfort to severe complications.
Let's look at some best practices for discussing medication errors with seniors.
Creating a Safe and Open Environment
We can't say enough about creating an environment where trust between residents and staff is prioritized. Seniors need to feel comfortable discussing their concerns, including their physical health and medication fears, experiences, and uncertainties.
Being open is vital to fostering a safe environment to discuss sensitive issues. Staff can do this by always being upfront and honest, compassionate, and striking the right tone between casual and professional. Building rapport with seniors also goes hand in hand with establishing solid relationships with their family members and healthcare providers—both crucial allies in understanding a resident’s medical history, ongoing treatment, and unique health needs.
Initiating the Conversation
You'll first have to initiate the conversation to discuss medication errors with residents. Here are three things to keep in mind:
Find the right setting
Consider the time and place you choose to bring up the issue. Pick a convenient time, provide short notice to avoid alarming anyone, and ensure it's in a place where residents feel safe and welcome.
Choose your words carefully
It's critical to always use language that demonstrates empathy when discussing sensitive health issues. If you're new to senior care, it helps to brush up on non-confrontational communication strategies and do a rehearsal run with a colleague.
Engage in genuine dialogue
Remember that a conversation isn't about delivering information, but engaging in dialogue, actively listening, and showing genuine concern for the residents and their health.
Providing Information and Education
Next comes explaining medication errors, their potential risks, and any steps your community has taken to prevent them. Residents may have questions or need you to repeat something. So, patience is important. The goal is to educate without causing undue worry.
Clarify that not all errors are cause for alarm or will result in harm, but be open about the possible consequences of medication errors, including adverse reactions, worsening health conditions, or hospitalization. Simultaneously, you can reassure seniors that multiple safeguards are in place to prevent such incidents, including information about their specific medications—what each drug is for, when and how to take it, and what are potential side effects or interactions.
Collaborating on Solutions
Involving residents and their families helps build trust and safeguards against potential medication errors. Here are three ways you can collaborate to find solutions:
Collaborative sharing
Encourage residents to share their personal experiences, fears, and concerns about medication administration and management. The more residents get involved, the more comprehensive the support system can be in catching errors before they happen.
Medication management strategies
Talk to residents about different ways they can keep up with their medication. For example, you can suggest using pill organizers, reminder systems, and medication logs.
Healthcare professionals
You can also connect with other healthcare professionals to ensure they know a resident's complete medication administration record to prevent unwanted drug interactions.
Implementing Preventative Measures
Implementing preventative measures is much easier if you first emphasize their importance to seniors and their families. For example, remind residents to double-check everything before taking any drug, even if it's something they've been taking for a while. You can also talk to them about sticking to their schedule and explain what could happen if they miss a dose.
Finally, remember that education goes a long way, even in the senior living sector. Instead of downplaying the risks, level with residents and teach them about the potential for severe side effects. Providing this knowledge will empower seniors to take responsibility and be more proactive about prevention.
Conclusion
The issue of medication errors in senior living communities is delicate, and the stakes generally tend to be high. That's why it's so important to talk about medication errors with seniors in a way that's genuine, open, and conducive to building trust:
Ongoing Support and Follow-up
Support doesn't end after a conversation. So, remember to follow up! Ongoing support is essential and should continue throughout a resident's stay. Also, consider establishing a transparent system for reporting medication errors or addressing concerns. To reduce the overall rate of mistakes, you should also evaluate your community's management practices regularly and provide residents with the resources to seek additional support.
Encouragement for open dialogue and proactive measures
The power of open dialogue and proactive measures can't be overstated! A transparent, honest conversation around medication errors can boost safety, build trust, and enhance overall resident well-being. At the same time, through engagement, education, and shared responsibility, you can create a system where medication errors become statistical anomalies, leading to a safer, happier senior living community.
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