Don’t Miss the Dose campaign introduced at Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals

The campaign was initiated in response to a report by the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) which has identified the risk to patients from delayed and missed medication. While only a small percentage of these incidents cause harm, the Trust recognises the importance of ensuring staff are educated in this area and recognise that a risk can arise from the delay or missing of critical medicines.

The campaign was introduced in mid-October with information stands held at both the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals. As a result, staff have been working hard to encourage a number of best practice measures throughout the hospitals. For example, a list of critical medicines has been produced and is now displayed in all clinical areas informing staff of medicines which must be given to patients as soon as possible. Also, regular education sessions have been arranged for staff, ensuring they are aware of the risk to patients of delayed or missed medicines and how to minimise this risk.

Dr Sue Hazel, Consultant in Geriatric Medicine and Intermediate Care, commented: “It is important that we educate the public about this campaign, so as they know what they can do to help us. “When coming in to hospital, it is important that people bring in with them a current repeat prescription from their GP, a list of their drug allergies and all the medication they are currently taking, this may include tablets, creams, inhalers, herbal remedies and medicines purchased over the counter. “By doing this, staff can accurately determine the medications and doses patients are taking and ensure there is no delay in their administration.”

Both the ambulance service and the Trust use a green bag for each individual’s medicines, ensuring the bag is clearly labelled. This ensures a patient’s medication stays together and is moved with the patient, should they be transferred to another department or discharged.