Medication Tray Refill and Monitoring Program

Medication Management by Licensed Professional Nurse

One of the major complications of managing senior healthcare is medication errors. These can be due to a variety of reasons and circumstances, such as:

– decreased vision

– frequent medication changes and conflicts causing confusion

– lack of coordination between medical providers

– using multiple pharmacies

– a change in cognitive status and confusion

– forgetfulness

– depression

– physical issues such as arthritis, which makes it difficult to open medication containers

The benefits of MedþPro and having our company and nurses monitor and fill medication trays:

Forgetting to take medication can lead to health complications and increased hospitalizations. Serious complications can occur if medication usage isn’t dispensed correctly and monitored.

Who usually fills a medication dispenser and manages all of the medications?

By law, Home Health Aides (HHAs) and Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are NOT permitted to dispense or administer medications. They are not trained to do this or any other skilled or invasive tasks. Sometimes a relative or friend offers to fill/refill the medication trays, but we find that many families prefer the guidance and supervision of a professional Nurse to manage medications. Our MedþPro

Medication Tray Fill Program addresses this need, ensuring:

• Communication with the MD/healthcare provider prescribing the medication to ensure the Rx is up to date and correct.
• Coordination with the pharmacy to send refills in a timely manner
• The Nurse verifies all prescriptions and ensures that all old/expired medications are replaced and that any current medications where the dosages have been changed are updated.
• If there are any discrepancies the Nurse contacts the prescribing provider to clarify in writing.
• All medications that are dispensed into the trays are documented and signed by the Nurse and patient/representative and faxed directly to the primary care provider for review.

We see a remarkable improvement in our clients when we can keep them on track with their medications.

Families also have one less issue to worry about!

We improve medication compliance by choosing the best medication dispenser for the client’s medication regimen. The dispenser may be a simple pillbox or several sequential ones. Our staff ensures that if there are any medication changes that the Nurse is notified and we coordinate a MedþPro visit to refill the medication trays and change any medication as required.

Additionally, when we coordinate MedþPro visits, our nurse comes in on a predetermined agreed upon basis to personally refill the medication trays, monitor vital signs such as blood pressure and pulse, and if needed determine blood sugar levels. The nurse will also assess the client’s well-being and review the medication administration sheet that the client and/or caregivers sign whenever medications are taken. If there are medications still left in the tray the nurse can take the proper action to determine the cause. Many times the client may forget or simply refuse as they feel that the medications are causing issues, which they may be. The nurse can notify the family and conference with the doctor and determine how to handle the situation. If the medications are causing issues like stomach upset, there may be an alternative medication that the MD can order as a replacement. If the client is forgetting we can set up reminder calls or an alarm on their phone.

MedþPro visits can be arranged weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly and is a customized medication management service based on client’s medication regimen. Patient /Caregiver counseling, training, and orientation is done by our Nurse and the family is able to obtain a current medication list whenever needed.

The Nurse can also periodically review medications with patient’s doctor, confirming necessity and helping avert negative interactions.

Visits are made on an as-needed basis, at reasonable rates per visit, depending on the number and schedule of medications, the patient’s cycle of prescription refills and the type of medication dispenser used. We have clients that are so grateful for this service, as it has allowed them to stay safe for years longer, in their own homes, where they want to be. It has also saved thousands of dollars compared to the cost of moving to an assisted living facility.

Medication management is one of the most important care services that we offer.