What is medicines optimization?
A person centered approach to the safe and effective use of medicines to ensure patients get the best possible outcomes from their treatment.
Why is medicines optimization important?
• Improves safety
• Reduces waste
• Polypharmacy is becoming more common (ageing population, long-term conditions/complex needs)
• Encourages shared decision-making and empowers patients to take ownership
Why is shared decision-making important in medication management?
• Improves safety - reduce risk of errors/ADRs
• Enhances adherence
• Encourages trust
• Supports autonomy - listening to and respecting patients wishes
What is meant by medicine concordance and how does it differ from compliance?
Medicine concordance is the partnership approach to medicine prescribing and taking.
Compliance refers to following instructions.
What is the role of the children’s nurse in medicine optimization?
• Safe administration - the ‘Rights’
• Monitoring effectiveness and ADRs
• Identity prescribing errors and coordinate with pharmacist and prescriber
• Educate and empower patients and families
What is the role of the pharmacist in medicine optimization?
• Reviewing prescriptions for accuracy and correcting errors
• Reviewing patient medications at every care transition
• Advice on medication regimes and formulations to improve adherence
What is the role of the prescriber in medicine optimization?
• Hold the legal responsibility for the treatment decision and must ensure it is within their competence and evidence-based.
• Act on feedback from nurses and pharmacist.
