Medication Management Support
Safe and supportive medication management including reminding, assisting and monitoring. Trained in the 7 Rights medication check and side effect recognition. NDIS registered with clinical oversight from registered nurses.
What Is Medication Management?
Medication management is the support provided to help NDIS participants manage their prescribed medicines safely, correctly and with dignity. Depending on the participant’s needs, support may include reminding or prompting them to take medication, assisting with opening medication containers, storing medicines safely, removing prescribed doses from approved containers, or administering medication in accordance with documented instructions.
Medication safety is a key part of medication management. Only appropriately trained and competent staff provide medication support or administration, and all medication support is delivered according to the participant’s care plan and documented medication instructions. Staff confirm the participant’s identity, check that medication is current and correctly labelled, monitor for adverse effects and accurately document medication administration.
Participant choice and consent are central to medication support. Participants have the right to make informed decisions about their medications, including the right to refuse medication. Staff respect these decisions, follow supported decision-making processes and seek guidance from the appropriate manager and healthcare professionals when required.
Some participants may require additional medication safeguards. This can include support with high-risk medicines such as Schedule 8, psychotropic or cytotoxic medicines, as well as medicines that may affect swallowing or increase the risk of respiratory depression. Only qualified and trained staff will administer Schedule 8 medications, in accordance with the participant’s documented medication instructions and care plans.
Medication reviews are particularly important for participants taking multiple medicines. Regular reviews with GPs, pharmacists and other relevant health professionals can help assess medication effectiveness, interactions, side effects and medication-related risks. Where a participant is prescribed multiple psychotropic medications, additional clinical oversight may be required to assess whether the use of medication constitutes a restrictive practice - chemical restraint. If a restrictive practice is identified, the necessary authorisations and behaviour support arrangements must be implemented.
Our Medication Management Support Services
Home Care Experts provides medication support and assistance to NDIS participants in accordance with their individualised Support Plan, Medication Plan and prescribed medication instructions. Our support may include:
- Reminding or prompting participants to take their medications.
- Assisting participants to open medication containers.
- Supporting the safe and secure storage of medications.
- Removing prescribed doses from approved Webster packs, Dosette boxes, where authorised.
- Administering medications in accordance with documented instructions and within the worker’s training, competency and authorised scope of practice.
- Monitoring participants for adverse side effects, changes in health status and other medication-related concerns.
- Accurately documenting medication administration and relevant observations.
- Supporting participants who choose to refuse medication, while respecting their informed choice and following the required escalation process.
- Recognising and reporting medication errors, near misses, adverse drug reactions and other medication-related incidents.
- Providing support with high-risk medications where the worker has completed the required training and competency assessment.
- Monitoring and reporting medication-related swallowing concerns, including where medication may contribute to drowsiness or other swallowing risks.
- Monitoring participants taking multiple medications (polypharmacy) for potential side effects, interactions or changes in health and supporting medication reviews every 3-6 months or as clinically advised.
- When Psychotropic medication is identified, a relevant medical specialists will be consulted to assess if a restrictive practice is occurring. If so, necessary authorisations and behaviour support plans will be implemented.
- Recognising potential signs of medication-related respiratory depression and following the participant’s emergency and escalation procedures where required.
- Escalating medication concerns to the Manager, qualified delegate or relevant health professional.
- Working collaboratively with participants, families, carers, GPs, pharmacists, nurses and other relevant healthcare professionals.
All our support workers are trained by a Registered Nurse in medication management in accordance with the NDIS Practice Standards. Training includes understanding medication effects and side effects, safe storage and disposal, the 7 Rights check, recognition of respiratory depression and swallowing difficulties, and how to recognise and report medication incidents. Support workers administering medications must be assessed as competent before providing care and receive ongoing support and supervision by a registered nurse.
Who Does What: Support Workers and Registered Nurses
Home Care Experts employs NDIS support workers and Registered Nurses, each with defined scopes of practice. All support is delivered in accordance with the participant's individualised care plan.
Support Worker Responsibilities
Trained and assessed as competent for medication support and assistance:
- Reminding and prompting participants to take their prescribed medications.
- Assisting with opening medication containers and packaging.
- Storing medications safely and securely in accordance with the participant’s medication plan and manufacturer instructions.
- Removing prescribed doses from authorised Webster packs, dose administration aids (DAAs) or participant-labelled pharmacy containers, where permitted.
- Administering medications via the prescribed route, where authorised and within the worker’s training, competency and scope of practice.
- Completing the required medication safety checks, including the 7 Rights, before medication administration.
- Monitoring participants for medication side effects, adverse reactions and changes in health status, including symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, rash or changes in behaviour.
- Monitoring and reporting medication-related swallowing concerns, including changes in swallowing ability or increased risks associated with medication-related drowsiness.
- Supporting participants with swallowing difficulties in accordance with their individualised care plan and documented clinical instructions, including appropriate positioning and prescribed medication formulations.
- Monitoring participants taking multiple medications (polypharmacy) for potential side effects, medication interactions and changes in health, and supporting medication reviews every 3–6 months or as clinically advised.
- Recognising potential signs of medication-related respiratory depression and following the participant’s emergency and escalation procedures, including calling 000 where required.
- Following all applicable requirements for Schedule 8 medications, including secure storage, administration, documentation, recording and required supervision arrangements, and only administering them where appropriately trained and assessed as competent.
- Accurately recording medication administration, including the date and time, and completing all required medication records.
- Supporting participants who choose to refuse medication, respecting their informed choice and following the required documentation and escalation process.
- Recognising and immediately reporting medication errors, near misses, adverse drug reactions, medication refusals and other medication-related incidents.
- Assisting with the collection and safe disposal of expired, discontinued or unwanted medications, including returning medications to the pharmacy where required.
- Escalating medication-related concerns or changes in a participant’s health to the Manager, qualified delegate or relevant healthcare professional.
Registered Nurse Responsibilities
Clinical assessment, medication support and care coordination:
- Assessing participants’ medication support needs and associated risks
- Developing and reviewing medication management plans within their scope of practice
- Assessing swallowing concerns and liaising with relevant health professionals regarding medication administration and alternative formulations
- Providing medication management training to support workers and assessing their competency where required
- Monitoring participants for medication side effects, adverse reactions and changes in health status
- Supporting medication reviews and identifying when further clinical review is required
- Reviewing medication-related incidents and supporting appropriate follow-up and escalation
- Assessing medication-related risks, including risks associated with polypharmacy and respiratory depression
- Providing guidance on appropriate escalation and emergency procedures where medication-related concerns arise
- Liaising with GPs, pharmacists, speech pathologists and other relevant health professionals regarding medication management and participant care
Managing Complications
Medication management can involve complications such as medication errors or omissions, side effects or adverse reactions, medication refusal, polypharmacy (multiple medications), high-risk medications requiring additional controls, respiratory depression, swallowing difficulties, antimicrobial resistance from incorrect antibiotic use, or medication incidents. Support workers are trained to recognise these issues, follow the participant's care plans, respond promptly within their scope of practice, and escalate concerns to the appropriate health professional when required. Support workers do not prescribe medications, adjust doses, or make clinical decisions about medication changes, but would report all medication concerns to the nurse or manager immediately.
All relevant observations and actions are documented in accordance with the participant's care plan and organisational procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 7 Rights medication check?
The 7 Rights is a medication safety check completed before administering any medication. Support workers must verify: Right Client (correct person), Right Medication (correct drug), Right Dosage (correct amount), Right Route (correct method: oral, injection, etc.), Right Time (correct schedule), Right Documentation (correct paperwork), and Right to Refuse (person's legal right to decline). Completing this check every time prevents medication errors.
What should I do if I make a medication error?
If you identify a medication error, identify the nature of the error, notify the Manager and qualified delegate immediately, and follow the Medication Error Risk Management Plan and/or their instructions. Complete the required Incident report Form and monitor the participant for any adverse effects that may result from the error. All medication errors, including near misses and refusals, must be reported as incidents. Serious errors or medication-related harm may require reporting to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission as a Reportable Incident
Can support workers administer medications?
Yes, where the worker has the required training and competency and is authorised to provide the medication support within their level of knowledge, skills and experience. Some medicines may require additional training, qualifications, delegation or other controls depending on the medication and route of administration. Schedule 8 medicines, for example, have additional requirements
What is the difference between medication support and medication assistance?
Medication support includes reminding or prompting a participant to take medication and assisting with opening medication containers. Medication assistance includes storing medicines, opening medicine containers, removing prescribed doses from approved containers and giving medication according to instructions
Available across Greater Melbourne?
Yes. Home Care Experts provides medication management support to NDIS participants across metropolitan Melbourne and surrounding areas. If you are unsure whether we service your area, please contact us to discuss your needs.
Ready to Discuss Medication Management Support?
Contact Home Care Experts today. Our team will work with you and your healthcare team to ensure safe, confident medication management.
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