Mike centre with Deputy Clinical Director of Pharmacy, Fiona Smith (left) and Medication Safety Officer Anita Hill

There is much to be done prior to the CQC inspection on 8 March in relation to the safe and secure storage of medicines at ward level.

 

Clinical Director of Pharmacy, Mike Culshaw told CHFT Weekly: “We knew that we needed to really go back to basics as part of our preparations for the upcoming inspection on 8 March.

 

“So we sought the advice of an external pharmacist adviser who has worked with the CQC. He visited some wards at CRH with both me and Specialist Nurse Medicines Management Karen Guy. It was a really useful exercise and gave us plenty to think about”.

 

Four key areas were identified for major improvement:

 

1. Storage of medicines in refrigerators.

All fridges must be locked and temperatures recorded daily on a designated chart using max and min thermometers. Please contact Pharmacy immediately if there is a problem with your fridge lock or thermometer.

 

How you can help: All ward colleagues should know what to do if the thermometer reading is out of range.

 

2. Medicines Cupboard and patient medication lockers

These should be locked at all times.

 

How you can help: Please contact estates if any locks are broken.

 

3. Pharmaceutical waste and returns to pharmacy

Containers for these should be stored in locked rooms and not visible to patients.

 

How you can help: Contact Pharmacy or Karen Guy for advice if there is a problem on your ward.

 

4. Storage of oxygen cylinders

Oxygen cylinders should always be stored in a designated racks or trolleys.

 

How you can help: Do not leave them lying around on the ward.

 

We also need to work together to make sure there are no expired medicines on wards.

 

Mike added “Just by following this simple guidance means the inspection team will be feel confident we can safely manage and store medicines at CHFT”.

 

“But for added support for our wards, Pharmacy will be working closely with matrons and ward managers with a Back to Basics campaign over the next month – and if this relates to you please do your bit to help us”.

 

All up-to-date important information, policies (such as the Medicine Codes) and anything you need to know about drugs at CHFT can be found in the Clinical Tools section of the intranet (from the front page).