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Polypharmacy is the word given to an instance where five or more prescription medications are being taken at any time. This can prove problematic to manage, especially in the case of children or the elderly.
Appropriate polypharmacy is defined as prescribing for complex or multiple conditions in circumstances where medicines use has been optimised and the medicines are prescribed in accordance with best evidence.
Polypharmacy requires careful management to ensure the health and safety of the patient is maintained.
Polypharmacy tips
The risks and side effects of any medications are increased when taking several medications at the same time. When combining prescription medications, users should be on the lookout for issues such as blood thinning, dizziness, confusion, a rash, or fatigue.
Everyone involved in a person’s care should be fully aware of all the medications they are taking. This list should include vitamins, herbal supplements, and over-the-counter medication in addition to prescription drugs. This allows the regular review of polypharmacy patients.
It is important that when seeking over-the-counter medications, a patient engages in a consultation with the pharmacist to ensure there are no contraindications against existing prescription drugs.
Pill sorters can be used to organise multiple medications into daily doses, and a comprehensive note of how medications should be taken or administered should always be kept handy. Patients can also make use of electronic reminders or alarms to keep their medication taking on schedule.
Safe handling of medications training
Safe handling of medication training is aimed at nurses and professional carers who regularly handle and administer prescribed medication. It ensures they have a knowledge of the policies and legislation, accountability and responsibility, how to record medication, and how medication errors should be dealt with. This, amongst other modules, ensures staff can deliver a gold standard of excellence in care.
Safe handling of medications courses are available from healthcare training providers such as https://www.tidaltraining.co.uk/health-and-social-care-courses/safe-handling-of-medication-training.
Training is often available on-site or via webinar; what’s more, it can often be delivered to encompass and include details of an organisation’s internal policies and procedures.
