Why involve residents in the ordering process?

On average an elderly patient is prescribed eight medications and almost a third of these may not be required. During the ordering process, residents are often out of sight of the carer and unable to inform them of changes, should they no longer require a medicine. If residents play no part in this crucial process how can the need for each repeat prescription be verified? Carers may not be able to decide whether or not a resident with a chronic condition such as hypertension needs an antihypertensive medication, but they are in a key position to establish continued need for treatments such as laxatives and sedatives, in particular those prescribed for ‘prn’ (i.e. when required) administration. Carers and nurses may play a vital role in medication reviews by close monitoring of residents, their routines and behaviors. Carers can significantly help mitigate the financial loss (£300 million worth of wasted medicines each year) and improve care for patients ensuring they are not dosed with unnecessary medications. 

A quote from Dr Clive Barker (GP): ˝Circumstances may change i.e. a prescription a GP may have written may no longer be the most appropriate way of the patient taking the medication, and the only way we’re going to know that is if the carers tell us.˝ And the most accurate way of establishing this is from the residents themselves (Chemistree Pharmacist).