This week, a reminder of the importance of both prescribing and ensuring critical medicines are given to patients. A recent audit showed a patient who was nil by mouth missed their critical medications resulting in them having a seizure.
Follow these five steps:
- Clarify critical medications that patients are on at admission - a list of critical medications is in Medicines Code 12
- Ensure all patients medications are reconciled, ordered and available to administer at the correct time to prevent delays
- Always document decisions made to make patients Nil by mouth and be aware of NBM policy
- Alternative route, dose or drug need to be considered in NBM patient to ensure no adverse events!
- Liaise with other team members if not sure on dose/route or NBM decision - Senior clinicians, pharmacy etc.
In summary our learning is:
- Ensure all important critical medicines are prescribed and also given - with no delays or missed doses!
- Familiarise yourself with the list of critical medications in Medicine code 12 and our Nutrition and Hydration Policy
If there are any questions on this please contact either Dr Suneeta Teckchandani or Alizha Waheed- Farooq