The hidden cost of medication errors in home care – and how to prevent them
Prevalence and impact of medication errors
69.5% of care home residents encounter at least one medication error, with an average of 1.9 errors per resident. Annually, there are 237 million medication errors reported in England, which includes domiciliary care. Alarmingly, 42% of these errors occur in care homes – the highest rate across healthcare environments – and many of the same risks apply to those receiving care at home.
Electronic medicines administration records (eMAR) are essential in minimising this risk, offering a digital-first approach that enhances oversight and helps reduce medication-related errors.
Common error types, causes and contributing factors
eMAR (Electronic Medication Administration Record) systems are essential in protecting clients within home care and healthcare settings. They significantly enhance medication safety, minimise errors and elevate the overall quality of care provided.
To reduce errors, it’s essential to implement clear controlled drugs procedures, accurate record-keeping and robust medicine stock levels monitoring – all areas where digital tools excel.
Medication errors can arise from several factors, including insufficient training and inadequate guidance from home care providers. Here are some common medication errors that occur daily throughout the year:
Prescribing errors
Dispensing errors
Wrong time errors
Dosage errors
Administration errors
Recording errors
Communication errors
PRN issues due to ambiguous instructions
Contraindications and allergies
How can technology improve medication administration?
Carers play a crucial role in protecting people from medication errors in home care environments. Their responsibilities and actions significantly impact both medication safety and client outcomes.
CareLineLive: Enhancing medication administration in home care
CareLineLive effectively incorporates an electronic Medication Administration Record (eMAR) system into its home care management software platform, offering a comprehensive digital solution for medication management and effective care delivery.
This integration is vital in reducing medication errors within home care environments. The following are the key features that enable CareLineLive to enhance medication safety and accuracy.
Digital medication records: Accurate real-time documentation
CareLineLive’s eMAR system digitises all medication information, providing carers with immediate access to the latest details on dosages, administration routes and schedules. This innovation significantly reduces the risks associated with outdated paper records, ensuring that carers consistently adhere to the most current instructions.
Automated alerts: Immediate notification of missed/errors facilitating rapid response
The system delivers real-time alerts for any missed or incorrect medication administrations. Managers receive immediate notifications if a dose is missed or if issues arise facilitating prompt intervention to ensure client safety. Additionally, continuous monitoring and reporting features provide comprehensive oversight and enable rapid responses to potential errors.
Enhanced accuracy and compliance
eMAR provides carers with clear, step-by-step instructions for each medication task, significantly reducing the risk of human error. Additionally, the platform facilitates regulatory compliance by generating auditable records and reports, simplifying the process of demonstrating safe medication practices during inspections.
Improved communication and transparency
The Carer Companion app ensures that information regarding medication changes is updated in real-time and shared seamlessly across the care team. This guarantees that all carers are promptly informed about the latest prescriptions or modifications. Additionally, the system improves communication among carers, managers and families by offering transparent and current medication records.
Evidence and audit trails supports compliance and easy reporting
Every administration of medication is meticulously time-stamped and recorded, establishing a dependable audit trail. This process aids in investigations, enhances quality assurance and fosters continuous improvement in the delivery of care.
Responsive to medication changes
Carers can promptly access and implement medication changes, which is vital for clients whose prescriptions are frequently modified. This immediate responsiveness helps to prevent delays or omissions that could potentially result in harm.
CareLineLive’s eMAR: Transforming medication safety and quality in home care
The platform provides clear, step-by-step instructions, automated monitoring and comprehensive audit trails, empowering carers to administer medications safely and confidently. Additionally, it equips managers with the necessary oversight to uphold high standards of care and ensure regulatory compliance. Enhanced transparency and communication with families and the broader care team further foster a culture of safety and trust.
