Medication Guidance
Safe medication management is one of the most critical responsibilities in care homes. Errors can cause serious harm or death. This section provides clear guidance on all aspects of medication administration, based on current CQC standards, NICE guidelines, and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's standards.
Key Regulatory Framework
- •CQC Regulation 12 — Safe Care and Treatment: providers must ensure proper medicines management
- •CQC Regulation 17 — Good Governance: proper records, audits, and improvement systems
- •NICE Guideline SC1 — Managing medicines in care homes (2014, last reviewed 2017)
- •Royal Pharmaceutical Society — The Handling of Medicines in Social Care (2018)
- •Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 — Controlled drug requirements
- •Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 — Employer duties for safe systems of work
In This Section
The 5 Rights of Medication
Right Patient, Right Medication, Right Dose, Right Route, Right Time — the foundation of safe medication administration in care homes.
MAR Chart Guidance
Medication Administration Record charts: how to complete them correctly, coding systems, what to do when a dose is administered, refused, or omitted.
Controlled Drugs Procedures
Storage, administration, recording, and destruction of controlled drugs (CDs) in compliance with the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001.
Common Medication Abbreviations
OD, BD, TDS, QDS, PRN, AC, PC, and more — a comprehensive reference of abbreviations used on prescriptions and MAR charts in UK care homes.
PRN Medication Protocols
When and how to administer 'as required' medication, recording requirements, common PRN medications, and key principles for PRN use.
Medication Storage Requirements
General storage, fridge medications, and controlled drug storage requirements including temperature monitoring and good practice.
Medication Errors
What to do when a medication error occurs, immediate steps, reporting requirements, common error types, and prevention strategies.