The importance of medication adherence, the practice of patients dutifully following their prescribed medication routines, cannot be overstated. Yet, a number of individuals fall short of adhering to their prescriptions.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) estimates that up to half of all medications prescribed for chronic conditions are not taken as directed. This problem is especially acute in care home settings, where residents are often adhering to complex medication schedules.
Non-adherence doesn't just trigger serious health complications; it also places a substantial financial burden on healthcare systems. In the UK, the annual cost of non-adherence is estimated to be more than £800 million. This figure includes £300 million attributed to unused medications and an additional £500 million spent on managing non-adherence side effects. Meanwhile, in the USA, a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that medication non-adherence is linked to roughly 125,000 deaths and accounts for at least 10% of hospitalisations annually.
The impact of medication non-adherence in care homes
The sheer volume and complex nature of medication regimens in care homes often make strict adherence a daunting task. This challenge is amplified by outdated and inefficient administration processes. The Care Homes Use of Medicines Study (CHUMS) found that medication errors occur in 8.4% of all medication administration events. To put this into perspective, a care home resident receiving medication three times per day is virtually guaranteed to encounter many medication administration errors each month.
These errors, coupled with a failure to follow prescribed medication schedules, can trigger a deterioration in health conditions and lead to avoidable hospital admissions. It's crucial to note that the responsibility for these errors doesn't solely rest on the shoulders of care home staff. The chain of medication administration involves a critical dialogue between the prescribing GP and the dispensing pharmacist. Breakdowns in this communication lead to high error susceptibility.
Non-adherence in care homes can also create a ripple effect, straining the relationship between healthcare providers, staff, and residents. This can breed mistrust and hamper communication, further fuelling the cycle of non-adherence. Addressing this issue is not just about improving processes; it's about rebuilding trust and fostering better communication within the health and care ecosystem.
Going digital - a way forward?
Implementing an electronic Medication Administration Record (eMAR) offers a way forward in addressing non-adherence and medicine-related errors. eMAR is a software system that enables care home staff to manage medication administration digitally, reducing the risk of medication errors, improving communication between health and care staff, and enhancing medication adherence in the process. Camascope's eMAR system digitally tracks and documents the administration of medication providing a clear, accurate, and up-to-date record of each resident's medication regime.
With eMAR, care home staff can follow the entire medication process from prescription to dispensation to administration. The system provides a transparent record of medication administration, facilitating monitoring and accountability for a care provider.
Reports can help to identify patterns of non-adherence which helps care providers address issues proactively. For example, consistent non-adherence may be due to a person’s sleeping habits. This could point to a much-needed discussion with a GP regarding dosage schedule and help to deliver more person-centred care.
Embracing technology such as electronic Medication Administration Records (eMAR) is necessary for improving patient outcomes in care settings, such as care homes, supported living and homecare, whilst also reducing non-adherence related medicine wastage.
If you’d like to know how Camascope's new eMAR solution can work for your organisation, contact us to find out more.
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