ICTQual Level 2 Award in Principles of Safe Handling and Administration of Medication

Learning Outcomes for the Study Units:

Introduction to Medication Management

1. Foundational Understanding:
   • Gain a comprehensive understanding of medication management principles and their significance in healthcare settings.
   • Recognize the importance of safe medication handling and administration in ensuring patient safety and positive outcomes.
2. Legal and Ethical Considerations:
   • Understand the legal and ethical obligations associated with medication management, including patient confidentiality, informed consent, and professional accountability.
   • Appreciate the regulatory frameworks governing medication handling and administration to ensure compliance and mitigate legal risks.
3. Role Clarity:
   • Define the roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals in medication management, including prescribing, dispensing, administering, and monitoring medications.
   • Understand the importance of effective communication and collaboration among multidisciplinary healthcare teams in medication-related decision-making.

Medication Classification and Pharmacology

1. Classification Mastery:
   • Identify and classify medications based on their therapeutic effects, mechanisms of action, and pharmacological properties.
   • Understand the rationale behind medication classifications and their implications for patient care and treatment outcomes.
2. Pharmacological Understanding:
   • Develop a comprehensive understanding of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, including drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
   • Recognize the factors influencing medication efficacy, dosing regimens, and potential adverse effects.
3. Medication Interactions:
   • Identify common medication interactions, including drug-drug, drug-food, and drug-laboratory interactions.
   • Understand strategies for managing and minimizing medication interactions to enhance patient safety and treatment effectiveness.

Routes of Medication Administration

1. Route Selection:
   • Understand the different routes of medication administration, including oral, topical, parenteral, and inhalation routes.
   • Evaluate factors influencing route selection based on patient preferences, therapeutic goals, and medication properties.
2. Administration Techniques:
   • Master the techniques for administering medications via various routes, ensuring accuracy, safety, and patient comfort.
   • Demonstrate proficiency in handling medication administration devices and equipment effectively.

Dosage Calculation and Measurement

1. Mathematical Proficiency:
   • Develop competency in performing dosage calculations and measurements accurately, incorporating patient-specific factors such as weight, age, and condition.
   • Understand different units of measurement and conversion factors essential for dosage calculations.
2. Error Prevention:
   • Implement strategies to prevent dosage calculation errors, including double-checking calculations, using standardized dosing charts, and verifying calculations with colleagues.

Risk Assessment and Management

1. Risk Identification:
   • Conduct comprehensive risk assessments to identify potential hazards and risks associated with medication handling, administration, and storage.
   • Recognize common risk factors contributing to medication errors, adverse drug reactions, and patient harm.
2. Risk Mitigation:
   • Implement effective risk mitigation strategies to minimize the likelihood of medication errors and adverse events.
   • Establish protocols and procedures for handling high-risk medications and situations to ensure patient safety.

Documentation and Reporting

1. Documentation Standards:
   • Understand the importance of accurate and timely documentation in medication management, including medication administration records (MARs) and drug charts.
   • Adhere to legal and regulatory requirements for documenting medication administration, including patient identifiers, medication details, administration times, and signatures.
2. Reporting Protocols:
   • Recognize the significance of reporting medication errors, near misses, adverse drug reactions, and incidents promptly and accurately.
   • Follow established reporting protocols and procedures to facilitate timely investigation, analysis, and corrective action implementation.