Medication Management
Clients have the right to safe medication delivery and the right to decide how they receive medication management and assistance from HWH.
Policy Statement
HomeWise Health (HWH) is committed to ensuring that all medications are administered accurately and safely, following the principles of “medication rights”, whether for Registered nurses or field-based team members who administer medications under the delegation of a registered nurse.
HWH is committed to educating and informing its team members to prevent medication administration errors. This policy encompasses prescription and non-prescription medicines and complementary healthcare products.
Purpose
Team members have a duty of care to clients who have consented to HWH to manage their medications. The team members must fully understand and adhere to HWH’s medication management protocols and ensure they operate within their defined scope of practice.
Team members have a duty of care to clients who have consented to HWH to manage their medications. The team members must fully understand and adhere to HWH’s medication management protocols and ensure they operate within their defined scope of practice.
Scope
This policy applies to all team members managing or administering medication for clients who have consented to receive medication management services through HWH.
This policy applies to all team members managing or administering medication for clients who have consented to receive medication management services through HWH.
Definitions
- Medication Administration: Providing prescribed medication to a client, including oral, topical, inhalation, injection, or any other route.
- Medication Assistance: Helping the client self-administer medication, such as opening containers, reminding, or guiding them, without direct administration.
- Prescription Medication: Any medication prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider.
- Over-the-counter (OTC) Medication: Medications, including vitamins and supplements, are available without a prescription.
- Responsible person: (NSW) Guardian, spouse, close friend or relative
General Guidelines
- Client Rights: Clients have the right to be informed about their medications, refuse medications, and privacy during administration.
- Consent: Consent should be documented by the client, or where the client lacks capacity, then the responsible person can provide consent
- The rights for medication administration vary between Registered nurses and field-based team members who have attained a medication competency.
