Errors in medicine administration can have devastating effects, so to protect residents from any accidental harm you should always remember the Six Rights of Administration.
1. Right Resident – Residents may have very similar, or even the same names. Always make absolutely sure you have the right person.
2. Right Medicine – Many medicines have similar names so thoroughly check the name on the packaging against the name in the Care Plan.
3. Right Dose – No matter how many times you've done it in the past, always read the directions and measure correctly. Too little and the medicine will be ineffective, too much and the resident could become sick.
4. Right Time – Make sure enough time has passed since their last dose, otherwise you could end up giving them too much. Check the Medication Administration Record to see when it was last administered.
5. Right Rout* – Make sure you carefully read how to administer the medication. Getting it wrong can cause more harm than good. And,
6. The right to refuse – Sometimes a resident may refuse to take their medication, and you should never force them if they do. Make a note of their refusal and any reasons they give, then let the Registered Nurse, or the person who prescribed the medication, know that the resident has refused. It may be that a different medication can be given which is more suitable.
