Long-term care facilities primarily serve individuals aged 65 and over, a demographic that often faces complex health challenges and multiple chronic conditions. As this population increases, these facilities are increasingly burdened by the need to manage and safely dispense the medications needed by their residents.

Prime Care has been serving long-term care and skilled nursing facilities since 1985 and is committed to reducing the potential for medication errors and improving medication safety. 

Reducing medication errors in long-term care and skilled nursing facilities

Given the demographic of patients long-term care and skilled nursing facilities serve, several considerations are needed to address medication safety in this population. 

Polypharmacy and drug interactions

Polypharmacy is the concurrent use of multiple medications. This practice is particularly common among older adults, a growing concern for long-term care pharmacy personnel, due to the prevalence of chronic conditions that require treatment.

Residents in LTC often take multiple medications to manage various chronic conditions. This increases the risk of drug interactions, side effects, and medication non-adherence. Careful coordination among healthcare providers is essential to minimize these risks. 

The more medications a patient takes, the higher the likelihood of adverse drug reactions. Older adults are more susceptible to these effects due to factors that affect how medications are absorbed, metabolized, and eliminated from the body. This highlights the need for careful medication management and regular monitoring of drugs. 

Proper medication storage and disposal

To maintain medication efficacy, proper storage conditions are essential. Inadequate storage can lead to degradation or contamination of medications. Moreover, clear protocols for the safe disposal of expired or unused medications are crucial to prevent accidental ingestion or environmental harm.

Medications often have precise requirements regarding temperature, humidity, and light exposure. Inadequate storage—such as keeping medications in environments that are too hot, too cold, or exposed to moisture—can lead to degradation of medications and increase the risk of potential contaminations. 

Chemical changes can render medications less effective or even harmful. For instance, certain antibiotics may lose potency if not stored at the recommended temperatures. Improper storage may expose medications to contaminants, including bacteria or mold, which can pose serious health risks if ingested.

Regulatory compliance and medication management

An LTC pharmacy must adhere to numerous regulations governing medication management, which can be complex and challenging. Non-compliance not only poses risks to resident safety but can also lead to penalties for the facility.

Regular inspections and audits require facilities to demonstrate adherence to medication safety standards through meticulous record-keeping and management practices.

Prime Care’s solution to LTC medication safety

Prime Care implements comprehensive medication management programs and pharmacy services that involve regular medication reviews by licensed pharmacists. This ensures that all medications are necessary and effective, minimizing the risk of adverse interactions. 

Prime Care provides ongoing training and support for skilled nursing pharmacy needs—to ensure compliance with all relevant regulations. This includes assistance with record-keeping practices, audits, and adherence to medication safety standards, thereby alleviating the stress associated with regulatory inspections.

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Sources:

https://files.asprtracie.hhs.gov/documents/aspr-tracie-ta-long-term-care-statistics-6-27-17-508.pdf

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