Step 7: Is the patient willing and able to take drug therapy as intended? | Right Decisions

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Polypharmacy guidance: realistic prescribing
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Step 7: Is the patient willing and able to take drug therapy as intended?

Please update your RDS mobile app to version 4.7.1

We are pleased to advise that deep linking capability, enabling users to directly download individual mobile toolkits, has now been released on the RDS mobile app. When you install the update, you will see that each toolkit has a small QR code icon the header area beside the search icon – see screenshot below. Clicking on this icon will open up a window with a full-size QR code and the alternative of a short URL for sharing with users. Instructions are provided.

You may need to actively install the update to install RDS app version 4.7.1 to see this improvement. Installing this update is also strongly recommended to get the full benefits of the new contingency arrangements – specifically, that if the RDS website should fail, you will still be able to download new mobile app toolkits.

To check your current RDS version, click on the three dots bottom right of the RDS app screen. This takes you to a “More” page where you will see the version number. To install latest updates:

On iPhones – go to the Apple store, click on your profile icon top right, scroll down to see the apps waiting to be updated and update the RDS app.

On Android phones – these can vary, but try going to the Google Play store, click on your profile icon top right, click on “Manage apps and device”, select and update the RDS app.

Please get in touch with ann.wales3@nhs.scot with any questions.

Process

Does the patient understand the outcomes of the review?

Does the patient understand why they need to take their medication?
Consider Teach back

Ensure drug therapy changes are tailored to patient preferences

Is the medication in a form the patient can take?
Is the dosing schedule convenient?
Consider what assistance the patient might have and when this is available
Is the patient able to take medicines as intended?

Agree and communicate plan

Discuss with the patient/carer/welfare proxy therapeutic objectives and treatment priorities
Decide with the patient/carer/welfare proxies what medicines have an effect of sufficient magnitude to consider continuation or discontinuation
Inform relevant healthcare and social care carers change in treatments across the care interfaces

Add the READ code 8B31B to the patients record so that when they move across transitions of care it is clear their medication has been reviewed

Description

Does the patient understand the outcome of the review?
Ensure drug therapy is tailored to patient preferences
Agree and communicate plan with patient and/or welfare proxy

Drug Info

Check self-administration (cognitive)

Warfarin/DOACs
Anticipatory care meds e.g. COPD
Analgesics
Methotrexate
Tablet burden

Check self-administration (technical)

Inhalers
Eye drops
Any other devices
Bisphosphonates/calcium