Covert Administration of Medicines

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  • Created by: LBCW0502
  • Created on: 26-11-18 18:40
What is the definition of covert administration of medicines?
The administration of a medicine disguised in food or drink to a patient without their knowledge or consent
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For which patients should covert administration be considered?
Patients who lack capacity
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What is mental capacity?
The ability to understand and make a decision when it needs to be made
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Describe features of the mental capacity act 2005 (1)
For 16+ years. Legal framework for patients to lack capacity to make decisions for themselves. Act assumes adults have capacity to make decisions for themselves. People must be given appropriate help/support to make decision
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Describe features of the mental capacity act 2005 (2)
People not to be treated as unable to make decision because they make an unwise decision. Any decision made on behalf of someone who lacks capacity must be in their best interest
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What are the four points of the test capacity?
Can the person understand the information? Can the person hold the information in their mind long enough? Can the person weigh up that information and use it to arrive at a decision? Can the person communicate their decision (talking, sign language)
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How are the results from the capacity test interpreted?
The patient needs to fail only one of the four points above to be deemed to lack capacity. Capacity may change over time so re-assessment is important. A person may lack capacity about one decision but not about another
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What is consent?
Voluntary and continuing permission of a patient to be given a particular treatment based on sufficient knowledge of purpose/nature/effects/risk of treatment/likelihood of success/alternatives. Permission given under unfair pressure is not consent
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Describe features of the covert administration of medicines and capacity
Assessment of capacity done by prescriber treating patient. Other professionals need to be satisfied that prescriber's assessment is reasonable. If patient is deemed to have capacity to consent/it cannot be given covertly
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Describe features of the best interest meeting (1)
If a person lacks capacity. Meeting involves decision maker, HCPs, people who can communicate views of patient (family). Meeting considers past/present wishes/feelings, another possible least restrictive route
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Describe features of the best interest meeting (2)
Outcome of meeting/decision arrived and shown in documentation. If decision is to administer medication covertly then a check should be made with pharmacy on how best to do this safely. Need for covert administration must be made regularly
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What did the mental health act 1983 state?
Provision of compulsory detention and treatment in hospital with supervision in the community of individuals with a mental disorder
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Covert administration of medicines should be avoided in who?
Individuals who can learn and understand that they will be required to take medication
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Covert administration of medicines is commonly used in which patients?
Patients with severe dementia or significant learning disability
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Summarise covert administration of medicines (1)
Effort taken to ensure medicines are given openly in normal form. Doctor in charge of patient's treatment assess patient capacity (documentation). Best interest meeting. Outcomes documented. Determine food/drink source for medication
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Summarise covert administration of medicines (2)
Prescriptions annotated with covert administration notes, if medicine is given in food make due medication is administered straight away by the nurse, regular review for covert administration - (4 scenarios application)
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

For which patients should covert administration be considered?

Back

Patients who lack capacity

Card 3

Front

What is mental capacity?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Describe features of the mental capacity act 2005 (1)

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Describe features of the mental capacity act 2005 (2)

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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