Medicine management

• When were the standards for medicine management withdrawn?

  January 2019
• How many medication errors occur annually in England?

  237+ million
• What are the methods midwives may use to supply/administer medicines?

  • Patient group direction (PGD)
  • Patient specific direction (PSD)
  • Patient medicines administration chart (MAR)
  • Medicines Act exemption
• What is a Patient Group Direction (PGD)?

  Written instructions for specific groups of patients
• Can students supply or administer under a PGD?

  No, students cannot supply or administer
• What is a Patient-Specific Direction (PSD)?

  Written instruction for a named patient
• What must a PSD specify?

  Route of administration
• What is the purpose of a Patient Medicines Administration Chart?

  Direction to administer medication
• Who must sign the Patient Medicines Administration Chart?

  A registered prescriber
• What is the accountability of the registrant when administering medication?

  Accountable for actions and raising concerns
• What does the Medicines Act exemption allow healthcare professionals to do?

  Sell, supply, and administer specific medicines
• Are Medicines Act exemptions usually applicable to midwives?


  No, not usually applicable
• What are the three types of drugs outlined in the Medicines Act (1968)?

  Prescription only medication, Pharmacy medicines, General sales list
• What does the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) categorize?

  Three classes of controlled drugs
• What are the classes of controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act?

  Class A, B, and C
• What are Class A drugs considered?

  Most harmful when misused
• What are Class B drugs considered?

  Less dangerous than Class A drugs
• What are Class C drugs considered?

  Less dangerous than Class A and B drugs
• What are the "5 rights" of drug administration?

  • Right patient
  • Right medication
  • Right dose
  • Right date and time
  • Right route
• What must be checked to confirm the right patient?

  Patient identity against prescription chart
• What details are needed to check the right patient?

  Name, date of birth, hospital number
• What should be considered when checking the right patient?

  Consent, allergies, understanding of medication
• What must be checked for the right medication?

  Expiry date, packaging, storage
• What is the chemical name for Paracetamol?

  N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) acetamide
• What is required for the administration of controlled drugs?

  Double-checking by 2 registered practitioners
• What is the responsibility of a woman regarding medicines prescribed for home birth?

  Store and dispose of them safely
• What is required for a midwife to possess an opiate for a home birth?

  Obtain it via a Midwife’s Supply Order
• What is a Midwife Supply Order (MSO)?

  Used to obtain controlled drugs without a prescription
• What are the regulations regarding home births and controlled drugs?

  • Medicines are the woman's responsibility
  • Midwife cannot possess opiates without MSO
  • Cannot take drugs from maternity unit