Medication Management: Reducing Risk & Improving Outcomes for Individuals with I/DD
Individuals with I/DD are a vulnerable population with unique risks. Compared to the general population, those with I/DD have more comorbidities, like epilepsy, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, anxiety, and depression, and take more long-term medications to manage them. Their complex medication regimens put them at higher risk for polypharmacy, drug interactions, adverse events and administration errors, any of which can cause harm or have a negative impact on health outcomes.
Complex medication regimens can be challenging for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), especially at a time when many organizations are understaffed – and nobody wants to make an administration error that puts an individual’s health at risk. Taking the right approach to medication management – one that is simple, drives accountability, and increases safety – reduces burden on DSPs and leads to better health outcomes for the individuals they serve.
Comorbidities Are Common
Because individuals with I/DD have a higher rate of comorbidities, they often require complex medication regimens. Common comorbidities include:
Epilepsy
Diabetes
Heart failure
Coronary heart disease
Hypertension
Cancer
Chronic pain
Inflammatory bowel disease
Asthma
Parkinson's Disease
Anxiety
Depression
Vision impairment
Loss of hearing
Key Elements of Successful Medication Management
Simplicity
Simplicity in medication management gives staff more time to focus on care and reduces the risk of administration errors. Clear labels and intuitive packaging help DSPs identify the medication, the individual it’s for, and when it should be given, and make it easy to record in a written or electronic MAR. The ability to clearly see the amount of medication on hand can prevent costly and disruptive trips to the ER for emergency refills.
Safety
The right approach to medication management –one that is simple and drives staff accountability – helps reduce the potential for missed doses and other administration errors, and ultimately leads to better outcomes. Bill Deane, Senior Vice President of Pharmacy Operations at PharMerica, points to calendar cycle dispensing as a simple and safe solution for many organizations. “Each card is individually labeled and the medications are easy to identify,” he says. “The DSP only has to look for today’s date on the card. There are fewer touches and less chance for errors.”
Accountability
The right approach drives accountability by making it easy to verify that the right medication was dispensed to the right individual. A DSP or their supervisor can easily recognize missed doses and quickly resolve any issues. With calendar cards, for example, a quick look is all that’s needed to spot a missed dose.
Efficient and effective medication management reduces burden on staff, builds confidence, and helps protect those you serve. To learn more about optimizing medication management for your organization, talk to your pharmacy services provider.
About PharMerica Behavioral Health
PharMerica Behavioral Health provides comprehensive services for individuals with cognitive, intellectual, and developmental disabilities. Our pharmacy and account teams, many of whom have personal connections to the I/DD community, share a passion for caring for this unique population and understand their complex medication needs. With specialized consultant pharmacists and local account management support, we make medication management easy, so caregivers can focus on increasing independence and enhancing quality of life for the individuals they serve.