10 Ways to Assist a Client with Medication

As a healthcare professional, you play a vital role in ensuring your clients receive the right medication at the right time.

Assisting clients with medication is a critical aspect of providing high-quality care, and it requires careful attention to detail, essential knowledge, and proper training.

In this article, we will explore 10 ways you can assist your clients with medication, from understanding their care plans to administering medications safely and correctly.

By following these guidelines, you can help prevent medication errors, ensure patient safety, and provide the best possible care for your clients.

The Crucial Role of Medication Assistance

In Australia, medication errors are a significant concern, with the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care reporting that up to 3% of hospital admissions are due to medication errors.

As a care worker, you facilitate this by providing meds assist, education, support, and encouragement to your clients.

By doing so, you can help them understand the importance of taking their medication as prescribed, thereby reducing the risk of adverse effects and improving their overall well-being.

As a care worker, you also have a critical role in promoting medication adherence, identifying potential barriers to adherence, and developing strategies to overcome these barriers.

Ways to Assist a Client with Medication

Even the most seemingly simple tasks can be overwhelming for clients who require medication assistance.

As a care worker, it's necessary to provide support and guidance to ensure they receive the correct medication at the right time.

1 - Help in Understanding the Medication Regimen

Make use of evidence-based instructions.

These are available in English and other languages.

These instructions can be added to your electronic medical record (EHR).

The instructions are clear and concise, which minimises confusion.

For example: "Take one pill in the morning, and another at bedtime".

This is clear, while "Take two pills daily" can lead to confusion if the patient does not know how to divide the doses.

The instructions simplify complicated medicine regimens using time periods that are standard (i.e. morning, noontime, evening and bedtime).

By clustering medications and reducing how often patients take their medicine, they make it easier for them to do so.

If there are any medications that should not be taken at the same time, or if they shouldn't eat or drink anything near the time of taking the medicine, make sure to tell them.

2 - Create a Medication Schedule

Medication schedules help clients stay on track and ensure they take their medications as prescribed.

You can create a schedule with the client, including the medication name, dosage, frequency, and time of administration.

The schedule should be easy to read and understand, and it's necessary to involve the client in the process to encourage adherence.

You can also provide reminders and alarms to help them stay on track.

3 - Educate the Client

Careful attention about dosage instructions is vital when teaching clients how to self-administer their medications.

You should demonstrate the correct techniques, such as measuring dosages, using devices like inhalers or injectors, and handling different forms of medications.

By doing so, you'll empower your clients to take control of their medication regimen.

4 - Monitor for Side Effects

Help clients identify potential side effects and adverse effects to their medications.

This includes monitoring for changes in their condition, such as an allergic reaction or interactions with other medications.

Instructions on how to report side effects and what to do in case of an emergency should be provided.

It's necessary to maintain open communication with the client and their healthcare providers to address any concerns or issues that arise.

5 - Assist with Administration

Work alongside your clients to practise administering their medications, addressing any concerns or questions they may have.

This hands-on approach will help them develop muscle memory and ensure they're comfortable with the process.

Medication administration practice also provides an opportunity to identify any potential issues, such as incorrect dosage or technique. 

• If you are unsure, if your patient is having difficulty taking their medication, ask them.
• Pay attention to side effects reported by patients. Otherwise, they may stop taking their medication without telling you.
• You can also work with pharmacies to presort medications so that patients receive a packet of all the medicines they need for each day. 

6 - Maintain Communication with Healthcare Providers

Addressing medication concerns or issues requires effective communication with healthcare providers.

You can facilitate communication by reporting any changes in the client's condition, side effects, allergic reaction or medication errors.

Written records of medication administration, including dosages, times, and any issues that arise, should be maintained and shared with health workers.

This ensures continuity of care and helps prevent medication errors.

7 - Encourage Adherence

Supportive guidance is important to reinforce your clients' learning.

Offer ongoing assistance, practical training and encouragement, addressing any questions or concerns they may have about their medication regimen.

This will help them stay on track and maintain their independence.

Aiding your clients in this way will not only improve their medication management skills but also enhance their overall well-being. 

8 - Store Medications Properly

Encourage clients for the proper storage of medication in a safe and secure location, such as a locked cabinet or a designated area.

This helps prevent unauthorised access, theft, or accidental ingestion.

Adverse effects can occur if medications are not stored properly, such as exposure to heat, light, or moisture.

You can educate clients on the proper storage techniques and provide guidance on how to dispose of expired or leftover medications.

9 - Provide Reminders

• Ask the patient if they need help remembering their medicine. 
• You could say "Everyone forgets their medicine sometimes." Do you want to discuss ways to help you remember to take your medication?
• Encourage them to create a daily routine that includes taking their medicines at the same time each day.
• Give pill organisers to patients and caregivers and show them how to use them by using their medication list as a guide.
• Ask family members for help. They can be a great resource in helping patients remember to take their medications, by filling up pill boxes or setting electronic reminders.
• Help patients choose and set up technology that will remind them to take their medications. Included are:
• Set alarms with your phone, watch, timer, tablet, voice assistant, talking clocks or other devices.
• Medicine reminder apps. Help them choose an app, download it or enter their medication information. If your EHR includes an app that is easy to use, it can reduce the chances of mistakes when entering data.
• Smart pill bottles or pill boxes with alarms, flashing lights, and messages that alert you when it's time to take your pills.

10 - Record Keeping

Provide accurate and up-to-date records of medication administration, including dosage instructions, times, and dates.

This helps track any adverse effects, allergic reaction, or medication errors, enabling you to make informed decisions about future medication plans.

By providing reminders and maintaining accurate records, you can help clients with medications stay on track with their treatment plans, reducing the risk of medication errors and promoting safe medication practises.

Causes of Medication Errors:

• Factors affecting healthcare: Inadequate training, lack of drug knowledge, fatigue and poor communication.
• Factors affecting patients: Language barriers, literacy, complex cases and polypharmacy.
• Environmental factors: High workloads, time pressures and distractions.
• System Issues - Labelling, packaging and naming of medications, computer system issues, poor communications between community care workers.

Assist with Medication Certificate

This online course will provide health workers with the knowledge and skills necessary to assist clients safely with medication and manage medication emergencies in the workplace.

This includes the following:

• The legal framework supporting safe medications and the roles and responsibilities for those involved.
• Basic medication terminology for medications including abbreviations and naming conventions.
• Different types of medications and how to administer, store and handle them in the workplace.
• The characteristics of common prescribed medications at work.
• The 10 rights to medication safety.
• Applying safe work practises to the administration of medications
• Assisting clients who self-administer medications.
• Managing medication incidents and contingencies. Reporting and documentation requirements.

*Important Notice*

Please be aware that this is not a nationally recognised unit of competency.

We recommend that health workers who deal directly with clients take this online course in conjunction with practical training skills. 

If you're unsure, please check with your employer.

This course is for medical staff who are required to complete medication documentation, assist clients in their medication, and manage medication emergencies at work.

HLTHPS006 - Assist Clients with Medication Course

HLTHPS006 - Assist Clients with Medication Course will help medical staff to learn how to provide accurate medication documentation and help clients self-administer their medications.

Enrolling in this course will help health workers develop a variety of skills that are essential to the administration of medication. 

These skills include verifying care plans and ensuring correct dosage of medications, as well as mastering the correct use and maintenance equipment. 

Participants will also gain insight into the compassion, dignity and professionalism required to excel in Sydney’s dynamic healthcare industry.

This course is a great way to start a rewarding career in healthcare. 

The comprehensive medication course is also very valuable to community care workers who are looking for further growth.

This comprehensive medication administration course is designed to prepare you for a variety of entry-level roles in the healthcare industry, including community services, personal caregivers, and enrolled or registered nursing positions within Sydney.

We offer the HLTHPS006 course - Assisting clients with medications - as a blended training, which combines online and practical training. 

Enrol now to begin your journey towards mastering essential proper medication administration skills.

10 Rights for Safe Medication Administration Approach

Right Drug

• Ensure medication matches the prescribed drug and form for the route.
• Differentiate between similarly named medications (e.g., Celebrex vs. Celexa).
• Use full generic names and indications to minimise confusion.
• Verify medication name and expiration date before administration.
• Educate patients on allergic reactions vs. side effects.
• Avoid administering wrong forms of medication (e.g., oral vs. intravenous).

Right Patient

• Verify client identity with full name, wristband, and ID numbers.
• Confirm the patient is prescribed the medication.
• Use alternative methods for identity confirmation when needed.

Right Dose

• Administer medications at correct dosages, preventing unit errors.
• Avoid misleading abbreviations and incorrect decimal points.
• Consult pharmacy personnel for accurate calculations.

Right Route

• Administer medications via the correct route (oral, IV, etc.).
• Be informed about complex routes like PCA, epidural, and intrathecal.
• Avoid errors from labelling issues, neglect, and workload.

Right Time

• Administer medications as close to prescribed time as possible.
• Avoid issues like altered bioavailability from incorrect timing.
• Follow protocols to prevent timing errors.

Right to Refuse

• Health workers and patients can refuse or omit drugs if necessary.
• Ensure patient safety through evidence-based decisions.
• Recognise patients' and nurses' rights to refuse medications.

Right Knowledge and Understanding

• Understand basic medication terminology principles for safe administration.
• Know drug naming conventions, preparation, and pharmacokinetics.
• Ensure all health workers have sufficient knowledge.

Right Questions or Challenges

• Ensure the prescription is appropriate for the patient's condition.
• Verify prescription clarity and dosing schedules.
• Nurses should advocate for patient safety by questioning prescriptions.

Right Response

• Review patient's response to medication for expected outcomes.
• Monitor drug effects and safety for the patient.
• Document administration and update medical records for continuity of care.

Right Advice

• Provide comprehensive advice about medications to patients.
• Explain actions, indications, adverse effects, and timing.
• Enhance therapeutic relationships and improve medication adherence.

Summing up

Hence, by following these 10 ways to assist a client with medication, you can ensure that your clients receive the best possible care and support.

Be mindful of, assisting clients with medication requires careful attention to detail, a thorough understanding of medication charts, and vital knowledge of basic medication terminology.

By providing high quality care and proper training, you can help prevent medication errors and ensure patient safety.

Now, take the next step and enrol in our assist with medication courses to gain the skills and confidence you need to provide exceptional care to your clients.