Homely Remedies Procedure

Transcription

1 Homely Remedies Procedure 1. Statement Homely remedies are an important part of medicines management and each home should make these available to Residents for minor and self -limiting ailments where it is appropriate to do so and approved by the Residents GP. 2. Background A homely remedy is a product that can be obtained, without prescription, for the immediate relief of a minor, self-limiting ailment. Only Medicines listed within the formulary within this procedure can be held in stock and only these medicines can be used as such. 3. Procedure Prior to administering any homely remedy, each Resident s GP is required to approve the list of homely medicines for each Resident. Once approved, a homely remedy can be administered to that Resident for 48 hours without calling the GP. Homely remedies are obtained from the homes regular pharmacy supplier and held by the care home as stock. They are intended for use by the Residents only and are not for staff use. 4. Ordering Homely Remedies Homely remedies are obtained from a community pharmacy (usually the preferred pharmacy supplier for the home) and the pharmacy will invoice the home for the cost of these medicines. All products must be supplied in their original packs since this will have the information on the manufacturers label to indicate: The recommended dose of the medicine The strength of the medicine Any warnings or contra-indications Any side effects The expiry date 5. Homely remedy agreement Homely remedies cannot be given to a resident unless the Resident s GP has previously agreed to the use of these medicines for that specific Resident. A homely remedy agreement must be kept in the care file for each Resident.

2 6. Receipt and storage The receipt of homely remedies should be recorded on a homely remedies control sheet with a running balance maintained at all times. Homely remedies are held as stock supplies in the care home and should be stored separately from other prescribed medicines within a locked cupboard/ box in the medicines room and the cupboard /box clearly labelled as Homely Remedies. This is essential to prevent them being mixed up with residents prescribed medicines. Access to homely remedies should be restricted to team members with designated medicines management responsibilities. 7. Administration and Documentation of Homely Remedies In the event that a Resident presents with a minor ailment (pain, fever, constipation, cough, sore throat, diarrhoea), the person designated may administer a homely remedy if the following criteria are met: The Home has a signed agreement from the residents GP to approve their use for that Resident. The Resident s condition is minor and self-limiting. The Resident is not already taking another medicine that may interact with or contraindicate the homely remedy. The Resident is not allergic to the homely remedy. The Resident has not received the homely remedy on a regular basis i.e. for more than 2 days. Then the staff member must when administering the medicine: Check the patient information leaflet for the correct dose. Check the patient isn t already prescribed the medicine on the MAR Chart to prevent accidental overdose. Administer the medicine and document accordingly, using the relevant documents-control sheet / MAR chart / care plan. Administration of homely remedies must be recorded at the time of administration on a homely remedies control sheet (example shown below) in addition to recording it on the MAR sheet. A separate control record sheet must be kept for each homely remedy. The record of administration must include: Name, Strength and Dose of homely remedy given The name of the person administering The time of administration The request from the Resident, the decision to administer and the exact medicine and dose given should also be recorded in the Resident s care plan. Any on-going requests should be monitored and any referral to the GP must also be recorded.

3 If the medicine is required for more than 48 hours or the resident is requesting the medicine frequently, i.e. more than twice a week, a referral must be made to the GP to review the Resident s medicine and consider if this or an alternative should be supplied on a prescribed basis. 8. Disposal of Homely Remedies Unopened homely remedies must be disposed of when they are out of date. Once homely remedies have been opened, the date should be annotated on the bottle/ box and the remaining product disposed of within normal timescales as for all other medicines. Disposal must be recorded on the homely remedies administration control sheet. Follow the Disposal of Medicines Procedure. 9. Responsibilities The Home Manager or Designated Person in Charge has the responsibility for ensuring that all colleagues are aware of the procedures and precautions to be taken during the administration and use of homely remedies. 10. onitoring Compliance and Effectiveness Compliance with this procedure will be monitored by the Home Manager/ Designated Person in Charge to ensure that appropriate risk assessments and care plans are completed and actioned accordingly. Any Issues relating to non-compliance with this procedure will be taken seriously, with incident forms and an investigation undertaken with clear actions identified. Equality Impact Assessment All Staff, contractors and third party partners are required when following this procedure to ensure that they do not disadvantage any person or group on the grounds of race, religion or belief, age, sex, gender reassignment, disability, sexual orientation and/or caring responsibilities.

4 Homely Remedy control sheet example Homely Remedies Formulary example

5 Name of medicine Paracetamol 500mg tablets and Paracetamof 250ma/5ml susoenslon lndlcoflon for use For the relief of occasional mild to moderate pain. May also be used for fever and cold and flu like symptoms. Dose Over 50kg: TWO tablets (or 20ml suspension) up to FOUR times a day. Under 50kg: ONE tablet (or IOml suspension] UP to FOUR times 0 day Maximum dose Is 24 hours Over 50kg: 4g (eight tablets or 80mlj in divided doses not more often than every four hours. Under 50mg: 2g (four tablets or 40ml) in divided doses not more often than every four hours. Maximum duration oftreofment Up to 48 hours. If symptoms persist after 48 hours seek medical attention and document advice given. Cautions Do no administer with any other Paracetomol containing products. Caution must be taken not to administer to Residents already laking prescribed medicines containing Parocetomol. If in doubt obtain advice from a Pharmacist. Not suitable if Resident has a history of liver disease or alcohol abuse. Additional information Document any change of symploms (improvement of deleriorotionj in core plan. When to seek medical advice If symptoms persist despite maximum dose administered in 24 hours. If headache worsens or Resident experiences new symptoms. Seek medical advice immediately if maximum dose is exceeded. Additional informoflon W 'Vc.,\.t.. i.",; '"'''" r.oudicme nrg.w> Patient information leaflet Community pharmacist I I

6 Name of medicine Senna 7.5mg tablets or Senna liquid (7.5mg/5ml) Indication for use For the relief of occasional and nonpersistent constipation. Dose One or two tablets or S.lOm! liquid at night. Start with lower dose. I I Maximum dose Is 24 houm Two tablets or 1Omlliquid. Maximum duration of freofmenl Up to 48 hours. If symptoms persist after 48 hours seek medical attention and document advice given. Cautions Adclllionollnlormation Drink plenty of fluids. May take S-12 hours to toke effect. May cause abdominal cramp. Excessive use may cause diarrhoea and hypokaloemia {low potassium) symptoms are lethargy and weakness. If the Resident takes digoxin and experiences these symptoms seek medical allen!ion. Document any change of symptoms (improvement of deterioration) in care plan. When to seek medical odlllce Aclcllllonal information If symptoms persist after 48 hours. II Resident experiences al!emaling constipation and diarrhoea, rectal bleeding, weight loss. 'NWW.0 1'.orq ""' ',""", ".org Patient information leaflet Community pharmacist

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8 Name of medicine Indication for use Dose Maximum dose Is 24 hour Simple Undus or Simple Unctus Sugar Free For the symptomatic relief of occasional cough. 5-lOml three or four limes a day. 40ml over 24 hours in divided doses. Maximum duration of treatment Up to 48 hours. If symptoms persist after 48 hours seek medical attention and document advice given. Cautions Simple linchlus contains 6.3 vol % ethanol (alcohol. 96%), i.e. up to 505mg per 10ml dose, equivalent to 12ml beer, 5ml wine per dose. Harmful for those suffering!tom alcoholism and high-risk groups such as Residents with liver disease or epilepsy. IindH< 3.95a of oer I Sml dose. Residents suffer from diabetes mellitus or rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption or sucrase-isomaltose insufficiency should not lake this medicine. Residents living with diabetes may be given. simple linctus SUGAR FREE Addlllonof lnformallon Document any change of symptoms [improvement of deterioration) in Care Plan. Shelf life after opening 6 months. Seek medical advice if blood is coughed up or in the presence of green mucus. When to seek medk::al advice II symptoms persist despite maximum dose given. It chest pain persists. Addlllonallnformallon '"' Nc'-:.bnf.or l <fyia;,.< < '"dic.u Patient information leaflet Community pharmacist

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