Medication Management Failings Flagged At Disability Centre In Laois

The Portlaoise facility met or substantially met 12 other regulations during its August inspection.

A HSE home for people with disabilities has been found non compliant in how it manages prescription medicine according to a new HIQA report.

The facility in the Portlaoise area was found compliant or substantially compliant in 12 other regulations it was inspected on in August this year.

The designated centre, known as Portlaoise area 2, is home to nine residents who are over the age of 18 years and who have an intellectual disability. 

The centre, which comprises of two separate houses, provides a calm and relaxing atmosphere according to the report.

However HIQA says significant improvement must be made in relation to medication management. 

On one prescription record it was observed that the maximum dosage of an as-required medicine wasn't prescribed. 

On that same prescription record, the frequency of administration for another medicine wasn't prescribed either.

In one instance, when a resident went on holiday staff failed to complete medication records for that timeframe.

A review into the management of a resident's diabetes treatment revealed staff had failed to follow protocol based on the person's blood sugar levels.

While inspectors also voiced concern that the keys for medication press were often not on the premises.

In the centre's action plan response, a medicine key lock box has been installed in both houses, staff are receiving extra training in the area of diabetes treatment, and prescription records have been reviewed for maximum dosage and frequency.

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