Administration: Learning outcomes

Last updated: Friday, November 16, 2018

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After completing this tutorial, you will be able to:
  • Outline the types of clinical problem that hospital pharmacists must solve concerning the safe administration of medicines. 
  • Describe the different methods by which injectable medicines are given.
  • Recognise the issues of concern when patients who need medicines cannot receive them by mouth, or cannot swallow tablets and capsules.

You can download a PDF of the whole tutorial (without interactive elements such as the Learning Exercises) and a one-page summary of key points.

You should allow 120 minutes to complete this tutorial, including the Learning Exercises.

Competencies

If you are a hospital trainee pharmacist, this tutorial may help you achieve GPhC learning outcomes such as these:
  • LO 12 Take an all-inclusive approach to ensure the most appropriate course of action based on clinical, legal and professional considerations
  • LO 16 Apply professional judgement in all circumstances, taking legal and ethical reasoning into account
  • LO 27 Take responsibility for the legal, safe and efficient supply, [prescribing] and administration of medicines
  • LO 29 Apply the principles of clinical therapeutics, pharmacology and genomics to make effective use of medicines for people [including in their prescribing practice]
  • LO 30  Appraise the evidence base and apply clinical reasoning and professional judgement to make safe and logical decisions which minimise risk and optimise outcomes for the person

If you are a foundation pharmacist, this tutorial may assist with meeting certain competencies from the RPS framework including:
  • 1.4  Selection of the medicine (medicine-patient interactions).
  • 1.5  Medicine specific issues (selection of formulation and concentration)
  • 1.6  Medicines information and patient education.
  • 3.4  Providing information

Continuing professional development


Finally, here are some CPD activities you could consider:

★  When you next assist a patient who has swallowing difficulties or is nil-by-mouth, write a reflective account of how you intervened and the difference it made to your patient. Were you able to communicate with the patient or their carer?

★  Schedule a time to read your Trust's Administration of Medicines policy, and/or its IV Medicines policy. What did you learn? Do you feel better equipped as a pharmacist as a result of being familiar with these policies?