Purpose
To ensure the safe and accurate administration of medications to residents in aged care facilities, in accordance with clinical best practice and regulatory requirements.
Scope
All clinical staff authorised to administer medications. Applies to oral, topical, and PRN medications.
Procedure steps
Verify the prescription
Check the medication chart is current and signed by a prescriber. Confirm the resident's identity using two identifiers (name + DOB or photo ID).
The 8 rights
Right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, right time, right documentation, right reason, right response. Complete all eight before administering.
Prepare medication
Prepare medications in a clean, dedicated area. Check expiry date. Do not prepare medication for another staff member to administer.
Administer
Stay with the resident until medication is taken. Do not leave medications at the bedside unless specifically prescribed and documented as self-administration.
Document immediately
Sign the medication chart immediately after administration. Never pre-sign. Record any refusals with the resident's reason.
Manage errors
If a medication error occurs: ensure resident safety first, notify the RN in charge immediately, complete an incident report, notify the prescriber and family as appropriate.
Controlled drugs
Controlled drugs require two authorised staff signatures for administration and must be counted at every shift handover. Discrepancies must be reported immediately.
Legislation
| Medicines Act 1981 s29 | No person shall administer a prescription medicine to any person unless it has been prescribed for that person |
| Ngā Paerewa NZS 8134:2021 std 2.4 | Consumers receive medications that are prescribed and administered safely |
| Medicines Regulations 1984 r40 | Controlled drugs must be recorded in a controlled drugs register at each administration |
📋 Customise before use — Add your facility's medication chart format, controlled drugs register location, and on-call prescriber contact.
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