1.1 Identify key legislation, policies and guidelines relevant to the administration of medication.
The administration of medication is subject to a variety of legislation, policies and guidelines. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is the primary piece of health and safety legislation in the UK that outlines employers’ responsibility to ensure safe working environments for all staff. Employers must carry out risk assessments related to tasks, including the administration of medications, so that appropriate control measures can be implemented.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, The Human Medicines Regulations 2012 set out legal requirements governing activities such as supply/sale, manufacture/import or export/advertisement/control with regard to medicines classified under either prescription-only medicine (POM) or pharmacy medicine (P). As part of these regulations, there are rules around storage conditions for specific drugs; a requirement for prescriptions from relevant healthcare professionals; assurance about expiry dates being observed; advising patients on precautions necessary when taking medication etc.; these must be adhered to by anyone administering medications.
The Medicines Act 1968 (as amended by the Human Medicines Regulations 2012) sets out requirements for controlled drugs that are subject to special control and extra safeguards due to their potential for misuse or addiction. These regulations cover any activity involving controlled drugs, such as storage, prescribing/administering etc.
Another relevant piece of legislation is the Mental Capacity Act 2005, which protects vulnerable adults when they lack the capacity to make decisions on matters related to their own health and care. This includes making sure that consent has been obtained prior to administering medication.
Policies such as The Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Standards for Quality Care in relation to ‘medication management’ provide guidance about how medications should be managed safely by healthcare staff (including administration).
Additionally, NHS England publishes Clinical Guidance documents outlining best practices for specific medical conditions or procedures; these may also include information on what considerations need observing with regards administration of medication depending upon circumstance or condition (e.g., local anaesthetics).
Other answers in the full document:
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2.1 Compare the responsibilities and level of accountability assigned to those involved in the administration of medication.
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3.1 Describe common types of medication and their uses.
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3.2 Explain the different routes of medicine administration.
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3.3 Describe the common adverse reactions to medication and the appropriate action(s) required in line with agreed ways of working.
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4.1 Explain the importance of the appropriate timing of medication.
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5.2 Explain when and how to report any immediate problems with the administration of medication.
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5.5 Explain how to confirm that the individual takes the medication and does not pass the medication to others.