1.1 Identify current legislation, guidelines, policies and protocols relevant to the administration of medication
In order to ensure correct medication administration to persons while keenly and securely watching the reactions, there are regulations, guidelines, tactics, and procedures in place that lay out duties and effective methods that must be followed.
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) provides recommendations for best practices and guidance on the use of medications as well as national guidance on upholding health and well-being and avoiding sickness.
- Medication self-administration is governed by policies. Unless a risk assessment suggests differently, patients are still responsible for administering some or all of their prescriptions while they are staying in a healthcare facility.
- Organisational rules outline who is permitted to provide medications in a certain situation, if necessary, and how to assign responsibility for medication distribution.
- Specific procedures are in place to minimise the risks associated with delivering or handling drugs.
- Potential hazards to the patient or others, the patient’s ability to undertake the necessary responsibilities, and permission are all elements considered in the risk assessment. These risk assessments are repeated as necessary.
The rules and procedures for handling medications properly vary depending on the care facility or organisation that administers the medication. It is essential because it provides a variety of approaches to delivering each prescription to various patients and tracking how the drug is responding.
Since these regulations are based on legislation, everyone who works for care facilities, organisations, or both must abide by them. As a result of the regulations’ severe requirements that must be fulfilled while interacting with each person, their compliance is essential.
Several legislations are relevant to the delivery of drugs. A list of several key laws and their purposes is provided below.
The Misuse of Drugs Act of 1971
- It controls and guards against the abuse of controlled substances.
- It also describes the proper way to store controlled substances.
The Medicines Act of 1968
- It addresses the licencing, marketing, production, and supply of medications.
- It also states who is permitted to prescribe and distribute medications.
- The Act classifies prescribed medications into the proper groups.
- It mandates that pharmacists or doctors who have written a prescription must provide the medication.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
- Employers are required to put in place rules for safe working practices, such as mandating workers to wear PPE and conducting risk analyses.
- The law requires risk assessments from organisations in order to minimise or lessen the risks connected with using harmful products, such as medications. This is to guarantee that employees are working in safe environments and accomplishing tasks safely.
- Employers are obligated by this law to provide workers with information, guidance, and supervision so that job activities may be completed effectively.
All care facilities, organisations, and the staff that work for them are required to abide by these regulations since they are established on laws. Adherence to the rules is essential since they set out rigorous parameters that must be observed while interacting with each person.
There are specific rules and procedures for handling medications properly at each care facility and organisation that administers medications to patients. It is essential since it explains several techniques for dispensing each prescription to various patients and for keeping track of the medication’s effects.
Other answers in the full document:
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2.1 Describe common types of medication including their effects and potential side effects.
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2.2 Identify medication which demands specific physiological measurements.
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2.3 Describe the common adverse reactions to medication, how each can be recognized and the appropriate action(s) required
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2.4 Explain the different routes of medicine administration
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3.1 Explain the types, purpose and function of materials and equipment needed for the administration of medication via the different routes.
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3.2 Identify the required information from prescriptions/ medication administration charts
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4.2 Explain ways to ensure the appropriate timing of medication.
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5.3 Describe how to report any immediate problems with the administration.
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5.5 Explain why it may be necessary to confirm that the individual actually takes the medication and does not pass the medication to others.
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5.8 Describe how to dispose of out of date and part-used medications in accordance with legal and organizational requirements