Pill dispenser incidents & medications

Purpose

This procedure describes the actions to be taken by staff called to premises following notification from a pill dispenser of failure to take medication.

Responsibility

All staff

Process

• When assessing the call, the Response Officer should have ascertained whether the contact centre has been able to communicate effectively with the customer and has sought to persuade the customer to take their pills.
• If the contact centre has not been able to communicate effectively with the customer and is unsure whether they have taken their pills. The protocol on Jontek should then be followed for that particular customer.
• If the pill dispenser is not working correctly then the matter should be referred to the Installation team for a visit to be made to investigate further.
• The contact centre should then contact the customer’s NOK, carer or whoever is responsible for the medication to notify them of the problem.

Medication

On no account should staff become involved with customers’ medication. If a customer requests/needs assistance with the administration of medication, the medical services i.e. GP or district nurse should be contacted.