Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The resident-directed medication administration program (RDMA) is a personalized medication approach designed to improve the medication administration process in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). This evaluation aimed to document staff experience with the RDMA program compared with staff working in facilities using a facility-directed medication administration program (FDMA).
DESIGN: This descriptive program evaluation invited staff members to share their experiences with the medication administration process through an anonymous survey.
SETTING: Three LTCFs using a RDMA program and three LTCFs using a FDMA program operated by a nonprofit health system in the mid-Atlantic region.
PARTICIPANTS: All medication administration staff working in six LTCFs were invited to participate (n = 28), and 22 evaluable surveys were returned. Pharmacists (n = 2), providers (n = 5), and nursing staff (n = 4) working in the RDMA facilities described their experiences with the RDMA program.
PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Time spent administering medications, satisfaction with the medication administration process, medication administration error rate.
RESULTS: Most staff members were satisfied with the program and would recommend it for other facilities. Medication administration staff at RDMA facilities reported that they were able to spend more time engaged with residents and less time administering medications. There were fewer medication administration errors in RDMA facilities.
CONCLUSION: Implementation of a personalized approach to medication administration is feasible and can promote a positive staff experience with the medication administration process with fewer medication errors.