The Importance of Medication Management

What is Medication Management?

Medication management is the action or process of managing medication and medication therapy. It is a necessary part of medication use to prevent medication errors and adverse drug events (ADEs).

Medication management can include: order processing, medication storage, preparation for administration, medication administration, patient counseling on medication effects and possible side effects, proper documentation in the medication record, medication reconciliation, medication destruction, medication shortage management, medication forecasting and medication replenishment.

The medication management process can begin before the receipt of medication by the patient. It starts with order processing which includes steps to assure that all necessary information is received from prescriber or ordering health care professional for proper drug therapy.

Once the medication is ordered medication management continues with medication storage which is the collection of medication for patient use. Storage includes medication at home, medication in transit and medication stored within the health care setting.

Medication preparation begins after medication is brought to the bedside or given to nurses who will administer medication.

This process ensures that medication taken by mouth has been properly prepared whether it be crushing medication, mixing medication or adjusting medication to the appropriate concentration for intravenous infusion.

Before medication administration medication management continues with patient counseling on medication effects and possible side effects that may occur as a result of taking medication.

This is followed by medication reconciliation which is reviewing information about previously delivered medications to assure all ordered medications are delivered within 24 hours of order.

Why is Medication Management Important?

Medication management is important because medication can significantly improve a patient’s quality of life, by relieving pain, reducing the risk for infections, or improving their ability to function.

Medications are given in order for doctors or other healthcare professionals to help patients achieve an optimum level of health.

Medication management is not always easy and it does take time. The medication management program helps patients take care of their medication so they have the best possible chance at living a healthy life while being on medication.

It is important that medication management can be accessible to everybody so that people do not have any barriers in accessing medication. Improper medication take can lead to many additional costs like hospitalization or even lead to death if the medication does not work properly.

The medication is documented in the medication record before medication administration occurs.

During medication administration medication management continues with proper medication documentation after medication is administered to patient. Patient also receives medication counseling on side effects that may occur during medication administration.

This process leads to medication disposal which includes discarding un-used medication or properly destroying medications that are no longer needed between patient

Improper medication management can also lead to medication errors. The medication errors that occur in medication management may include medication not administered, wrong medication given, wrong dose of medication, and the medication is not well-tolerated. Many patients can be at risk for medication errors which we want to prevent if we implement a policy on medication management.

Medication management is important so medication can be monitored and it can lead to better medication use. Medication should be monitored just like patients are monitored because medication can affect patient’s health.

 

Who needs Medication Management?

Anyone can benefit from medication management.

Medication management is important for anyone on medication which include the elderly, children, pregnant women, and some health conditions may even require medication management to be able to have a better outcome of their condition. medication management is not just reserved for only those who are on multiple medications but it also includes patients on just one medication.

The medication management process includes the responsibilities of all members participating in medication management and medication safety net by supporting medication management efforts, which include: medication management medication history medication reconciliation medication delivery medication administration medication monitoring medication reordering medication disposal medication refills.

Medication management is important to everyone; however, it is especially important for patients who are on more than one medication. Medications can help improve the patient’s quality of life but without proper medication management they may not receive medication to help them feel better or properly manage their health. Medication management ensures medication is given to the patient in a timely manner and medication errors are prevented from occurring.

Medication management helps medication work best for the patient by monitoring medication taken to make sure it is received within 24 hours of order, medication reconciliation which includes checking prescriptions that were previously delivered medication to make sure those prescriptions are not expired or discontinued. Medication management ensures medication is given as ordered and medication errors do not occur.

Medication management should be an important part of medication delivery, medication administration medication monitoring medication reordering, and medication disposal.

Who can administer medication?

Only nurses, pharmacists, and other medication administration technicians are allowed to give medication.

 

This includes medication management. Managing medication without professional help can cause extreme self harm and even death without the proper understanding of the medication. Professionals are trained on medication side affects, medication results, getting the best results from certain medications, and what medications help best with certain mental health issues.

What does a medication management doctor do?

Medication management doctors are usually medical doctors that have medication management knowledge.

Medication is not just prescribed medication it also includes over the counter medication issues with patients. A medication management doctor can help you figure out medication problems.

If they find medication is not working for you they may switch medications or recommend medication management to receive medication for the best medication outcome.

What to do if medication management is needed?

You can ask your doctor about medication management or you can call up health care providers that provide medication management information. There are also medication management programs offered by pharmacies and hospitals which will teach you how to manage medication properly so medication errors are not made.

Medication management is important in medication delivery, medication administration medication monitoring medication reordering, and medication disposal.

How Does Medication Management Help?

Medication management can help in many different ways depending on the medication; however, medication management helps patients receive medication and medication errors do not occur.

Medication management ensures medication is given to the patient in a timely manner and medication errors are prevented from occurring.

Many medication management doctors are medication management professionals that have medication management medical knowledge. Medication is not just prescribed medication it also includes over the counter medication issues with patients.

A medication management doctor can help you figure out medication problems. If they find medication is not working for you they may switch medications or recommend medication management to receive medication for the best treatment option.

How does medication work? Patients may think they know when medication should be taken, but medication can work differently in each person. Medication management ensures that medication given to the patient is properly monitored and medication errors do not occur.

What are the 5 stages of the medication process?

The medication process can be divided into five main steps: medication management, medication identification, medication selection, medication administration, and monitoring medication adherence.

Medication management is the first step in the medication process. It involves managing medication throughout its lifespan from when it is prescribed to when it is disposed of. Medication identification takes place when a pharmacist reviews the prescription label with the patient to ensure that they are aware of all medication ingredients.

Next, the patient selects which medication(s) they want to take for their condition based on what type of medication they qualify for and what type of treatment they need. When this is done, the pharmacist then educates the patient about how often they should take their medication, how long they should take it, and what medication side effects they may experience.

When medication is given to the patient, medication administration follows. Medication management monitors medication taken to make sure it is received within 24 hours of order and medication reconciliation which includes checking prescriptions that were previously delivered medication for any possible medication errors. Last but not least, monitoring medication adherence ensures that medication taken is monitored to make sure medication errors are prevented.

A medication error occurs when medication given to the patient was incorrect or medication that should have been given was omitted. It can lead to serious health problems for the patient if medication errors aren’t detected and corrected quickly. Medication management ensures medication is given to the patient in a timely manner.

What medication management roles are there?

There are many medication management roles including medication surveillance, medication delivery, medication administration, medication monitoring, medication reordering, and medication disposal.

What is medication surveillance?

Medication surveillance is the act of keeping an eye on your medications to make sure they don’t expire or become discontinued. Medication delivery is the act of delivering medication to the patient’s home or other location. Medication can be given in different ways depending on severity, medication type, and medication side affects.

Dispensing medication refers to oral medication that must be swallowed whole. The Re-ordering medication ensures the pharmacies medication is always available when needed. Medication delivery occurs when medication sent from one healthcare facility to another such as a hospital to long term care facility or other purposeful medication transfer occurs.

Medication disposal is medication given to patients by the pharmacist that they no longer need such as medication which has expired or was discontinued.

 

What Medication Management Tips do you Have?

You can take your medication the most efficiently by following these easy medication management tips: write down when and what medication you need to take for your condition, whether it be with or without food, and how frequently medication is needed so that medication management is much easier; medication management is even more clear if medication names are written down in order on medication lists.

You should also check medication labels to ensure that all medication ingredients listed matches the medication you received and that medication administration instructions are followed accordingly.

Medication errors can easily be prevented by following these routine medication management tips because it makes medication management simple, medication errors are detected and medication management mistakes corrected faster.

Along with these simple tips, you should always reach out to your medical professional with any questions or concerns you may have about the medication that was prescribed for you. Medical professionals are trained and educated to specifically assist you with their accumulated knowledge about the various medications, as well as about the various mental illnesses that you may suffer from.

Their job is to make your life easier to manage to allow you to get back to doing what you love.

Find out more by Contacting Life Elevated Psychiatry for you mental health needs.