Study of the perception of the professionals involved in the process of administering medications to the elderly who live in residences from a community pharmacy

Background and aim: The query to the professionals involved in the process of supplying medication to the socio-health centers allows us to understand their perception of the process and the possible improvements that could be made to the supply chain, such as the implementation of a protocol that standardizes the entire supply chain.

Methods and results: A descriptive observational study conducted in two nursing homes with a sample of 50 volunteer professionals, who responded anonymously to a questionnaire prepared ad hoc for research

Outcomes: 76  % of respondants saw the importance in the medication supply chain to the elderly. 78  % saw the implementation of a protocol that regulates the process as relevant. 72  % highlighted the relationship between the Cummunity Pharmacy  and residence as very important. 54  % thought that the limited readability of what was written in the prescription order produces errors. 34  % indicated there are never errors due to confusion of administration schedules, doses or duration of treatments. 58  % indicated there are rarely errors related to the transmission of information. 86  % thought errors do not occur in the proccess of sending the prescription order to the Community Pharmacy.

Conclusions: Pharmaceutical care for the elderly in socio-health centers and the implementation of a protocol which regulates the entire medication supply process were considered very important by the majority of professionals involved in the process. The positive collaboration environment generated by the consultation has made think to the participants about the design of a protocol.