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Peace of Mind with Medication™ DECEMBER 2014

keep on Webstering

Cytotoxic drugs ...handle with care

NewsAged Care

GERARD STEVENSsaying hello againy ng hello againg g

Our beloved King Charles Cavalier, Ruby, is on countdown to Christmas Day. Her one chance to meet relatives she hasn’t seen in ages, and bask in their admiration. Many a treat is passed under the Christmas lunch table to a blissed-out Ruby.

Thomas, our latest grandchild is crawling. Changing before our eyes, from a baby to a curious little boy. Thomas got to put the star of top of the tree this year. Now that we have seven grandchildren, Ethe and I think we’ll have a star for each one. It takes too long for ‘their turn’ to come around otherwise. And, as they say, why postpone the joy?

Our trip to Malaysia was the highlight this year. We stopped at Sandakan, where my uncle perished as a POW in WWII. And we got up close and personal with some Proboscis monkeys in the wild. A moment to treasure.

It has been a good year at Webstercare. I know I go on about our PocketProfi le™ Medicines list, but it really is a star performer. Carried in wallet or purse, the PocketProfi le card folds to the size of a credit card. Check our website, or ask your pharmacist. Knowing what meds a person is on can be a lifesaver, and PocketProfi le does just that.

To support these policy goals, Webstercare has introduced a cytotoxic kit. It features a range of products to support the safe administration and storage of cytotoxic medications:

1. Cytotoxic Pil-Bob®

Specifi cally designed for cytotoxic medications, reduces the risk of cross-contamination between residents and medications.

2. Cytotoxic Handling LabelActs as a warning and safety precaution. The label reminds the user to use the universal No Touch Technique when handling the medications. Apply it to the Webster-pak® folder or medications in their original packaging.

3. Cytotoxic Delivery BagThe safe way to transport cytotoxic medications between pharmacy

and facility. The bag alerts staff that correct handling techniques are required.To order any of these products, or for a copy of our information sheet, Managing Cytotoxic Medicines in Webstercare Systems, email the enclosed order formto info@webstercare.com.auReference: 1. Guiding principles for medication management in residential aged care facilities; Dept Health and Ageing; Oct 12.

Cytotoxic Delivery Bag Cytotoxic Handling Label

Cytotoxic Pil-Bob

The Guiding principles for medication management in residential aged care facilities1 recommends that management of residential aged care facilities (RACF) develop a specifi c policy for the safe management of cytotoxic medicines and contaminated waste.

P f Mi d ith M di ti ™ DECEMBER 2014DECEMBER 201

NewsAged Care DECEMBER 2014

Once removed from its original packing, the manufacturer’s recommended expiry date becomes invalid. The pharmacist must decide on an expiry date based on available evidence. Your RACF should

have procedures in place to check stock rotation and expiry dates on PRN packs.

The Webstercare advantageWebstercare foils and blisters form a barrier or seal that protects medicines from moisture.

Paracetamol tablets: Studies tested the chemical stability of paracetamol tablets ina Webster-pak stored for 12 months. Results showed no signifi cant changes to the tablets.Other tablets and capsules: Based on evidence from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and pharmacopeia, Webstercare suggests that pharmacists consider the following expiry dates for tablets and capsules packed in a PRN Webstercare system, and choose the shorter duration:

An expiry date of six months from the date the medicine is packed into a single unit dose container; or

25% of the remaining time of manufacturer’s original expiry date.

PRN medicines must be packed separately into medication management packs that clearly show an expiry date calculated from the date of packing. This ensures the medicine is safe and effective over its ‘shelf life’.

We commend you to the “Cytotoxic and Other Hazardous Drugs in Aged Care Homes” Risk Management Manual.

It is up to individual facilities to determine the high-risk medicines they use.

Know your PRN expiry dates

The manual helps ensure the safe management of cytotoxic and other high risk medications in residential aged care facilities.

The manual provides comprehensive information on the different types that are available, consideration regarding the safe handling and labelling of such products and guidelines for waste management of hazardous medications.

You will fi nd resources from institutes

and societies to access up-to-date clinical evidence as well as Australian references for occupational health and safety guidelines.

There is a Registered Nurse Training and Development Module for RNs to assess their knowledge of the manual content and up to 3 CPD points may be obtained.

To order your copy visitwww.meditrax.com.au/store, orcontact Meditrax on 02 8572 9248.

Need further cytotoxic and high risk medications resources?

ChristmasCrackers Pull both ends and watch ‘em jump out !

Today I did seven push-ups;not in a row.

ven push ups;n a row.

How are we going to achieve global peace if the

world can’t decide on one universal plug socket?

umpp out !

ng to achieve global peace if the ?

Buffet is a French term meaning

get up and get it yourself.

I’m getting old. I remember a time when, if

something went viral, it was a bad thing.

Procedures covering the safe storage, prescribing, dispensing and administration of these medications are an essential part of daily routine.

High-risk medicines include: medicines with a low therapeutic

index; and medicines that present a high risk

when administered by the wrong route or when other system errors occur.

A feature of the Medication Management Software your pharmacy uses to prepare your Webster-pak system is an alert when a high-risk medication, such as methotrexate or warfarin, is added to a resident’s medication profi le. The alert is a useful reminder for pharmacy staff to take extra precaution in dispensing and packing the medication.

Safeguards in the use of high-risk medications

NewsAged Care DECEMBER 2014

Alzheimer’s Australia has released a short fi lm, titled Antipsychotics & Dementia: Managing Medications. It aims to tackle the over-prescribing of antipsychotic medication in people with behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.

Available on Alzheimer’s Australia’s Detect Early website (www.fi ghtdementia.org.au), the free resource was developed in conjunction with Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT) and the Dementia Collaborative Research Centre.

Webstercare gave its support, and our research and resource development pharmacist, Christine Veal, played a key role.

Alzheimer’s Australia NSW Medical Advisor, Professor Henry Brodaty, spoke at the launch. He outlined a range of non-pharmacological interventions that should be considered before prescribing antipsychotic medication. Pain therapy and person-centred activity can be effective.

“In some cases, the use of antipsychotic medication is appropriate” said Professor Brodaty, who is also the Director of the Dementia Collaborative Research Centre.

“However, we know that in many cases there are other, more appropriate, treatments that should be looked at fi rst.

For example, providing pain relief,

tailoring personal care practices to the individual’s preferences, treating an underlying urinary infection, correcting vision or hearing problems, playing favourite music or working with the family to engage the person in meaningful and stimulating activities.”

An Alzheimer’s Australia report, released in March this year, found that about half of all people in aged care facilities, and up to 80% of those with dementia receive psychotropic psychotropic medications. Interestingly, it highlighted that international data that suggests only 20% of people with dementia who receive antipsychotic medication get any clinical benefi t from it.

The report, The Use of Restraints and Psychotropic Medications in People with Dementia, found that these medications can have a range of serious side-effects, including increased risk of stroke, increased risk of mortality, a greater chance of falls, and increased confusion.

The approval of the NRMC (National Resident Medication Chart) for use in Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Tasmania, is a step forward in industry effi ciency.

From now, residential aged care facilities (RACFs) in these states and territories can use medication charts that comply with NRMC legislation as a prescription for prescribing, dispensing, claiming and administering PBS/RPBS medicines for their residents. Other states are expected to follow soon.

For doctors, it means only completing the order once, rather than on the medication chart and again as a separate script. Separate scripts will still be required for S8 medications, S100 medications and authority prescriptions requiring prior approval.

Webstercare is implementing its own version of the NRMC system – RxMedChart. It is being put through its paces in a Canberra-based RACF during December, ahead of wider release.

The RxMedChart system is designed to reduce risk and be time effi cient for RACFs. Tailored to meet the individual resident’s requirements, it will be the most fl exible medication chart available. RxMedChart improves the quality of information available to all members of the healthcare team.

Adjusting medication rounds to suit a resident’s clinical needs is simplicity itself. Information is presented in a concise, consistent format without the need to fl ick through endless charts. RxMedChart will be supported by a change-managed implementation process and training program, along with auditing, management and communication procedures.

The RxMedChart system adheres to all federal government legislation for the NRMC. Once we are satisfi ed that it fulfi ls the needs of all stakeholders it will be available for general use.

Watch this space for more information, or contact our Professional Services Team on1800 244 358.

The dementia dilemma Are you interested in NRMC?

Better read about our RxMedChart™

The RxMedChart system is designed to reduce risk and be time effi cient for RACFs.

Can we reduce the use of antipsychotic medications?

Leading dementia expert Professor Henry Brodaty AOlent his support to the launch of the new DVD resource.

Webstercare has a range of products and services to streamline operational effi ciency. Many new facilities are lined up to implement the MedSig® electronic signing system in 2015.

For many of us at Webstercare, the New Year will be dominated by the RxMedChart system, our version of the national residential medication chart (NRMC).

Once we analyse the results and experiences from the facility, pharmacy and doctors involved in our trial, we will report back to you.

Facility operations will face ever greater demands to become more effi cient. Rest assured we will do all we can to assist.

We get wonderful feedback about our support team during implementation and training, so have no fear that the process will be anything but smooth sailing. The time savings, accountability and reduced non-signings mean a good outcome for everyone involved in the medication pathway.

T (02) 9563 4900 I FREE CALL 1800 244 358 I F (02) 9563 4955 I FREE FAX 1800 626 739info@webstercare.com.au I www.webstercare.com.au

2015 – It’s going to be a biggie!Aged care service funding is set to be on the agenda of government Treasury and Finance offi cials. We can expect the cost pressures faced by residential aged care facilities to continue and even accelerate.

Gerard Stevens signing off for another year with a deep and meaningful thought that will carry you far into 2015 working it out.: A problem shared is a problem

halved. So is your problem really yours or just half of someone else’s?

© Manrex Pty Ltd (ABN 63 074 388 088) t/as Webstercare – 2014. Manrex, Webstercare, The W Device, Webster-pak, MedSig, MedsPro and Pil-Bob are Registered Trade Marks of Manrex P/L t/as Webstercare. RxMedChart is a Trade Mark of Manrex P/L t/as Webstercare.

Conference 2014: The year that was

It has been a bumper year for industry conferences. Webstercare attended 12 aged care and community-based conferences. We have many happy memories of seeing your faces and hearing your stories. Long may it continue.

Look out for us in 2015. First up is the Tri-State Conference at Albury, fromthe 22-24 February. Stop by and havea chat about ways we can make yourday more effective and satisfying.

Gerard Stevens signing off for ano

hat was

Life is like a Maserati.It goes too fast and it costs too much.

When tempted to fi ght fi re with fi re,remember the Fire Brigade usually uses water.

It’s not that I’m smart, it’s just that I staywith problems longer.

Those who can’t laugh at themselvesleave the job to others.

Christmas cheerto you and yours

Holiday time is just around

the corner! From the team

at Webstercare, here’s

wishing you the best possible Christmasand New Year.