Medication Management Program Among Elderly at a Residential Facility

Abstract

Abstract This quality improvement project aimed to address medication management-related issues at a residential facility. The project\u27s population was elderly residents who self- administered their medications. A root cause analysis and SWOT analysis identified multiple factors contributing to medication management errors, including lack of resident education, resident competency, and technology limitations. An intervention plan was developed and implemented in two phases. Phase 1 involved conducting medication reconciliation, assessing resident competency, and 1:1 educational sessions with the residents. Educational retention was assessed by using a pre-test and a post-test. Phase 2, to be implemented in the future, will address technology limitations, incorporate an electronic medical records (EMR) system, and provide ongoing staff education. Results from Phase 1 include 80% recalled new information while 20% showed no change after completion of the educational session and the pre/post-test; from those residents assessed with the Medi-Cog, 55% scored above 8 out of 10 while 45% scored below the cutoff score of 8, and last 100% of the Medication Administration Records (MAR) were reviewed. Although time constraints prevented Phase 2 interventions from being implemented, implementing an EMR system and a professional development plan for staff education are expected to contribute to further improvements in medication management at the residential facility. Continued monitoring and collaboration with the residents and staff are vital for sustained success