Care home blasted over incorrect meds

AN AUGHTON care home has been ordered to improve after inspectors found medication was not being given out incorrectly,

Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors found that of 40 medicines stored at Silver Birch Lodge, 37 had been given out in the wrong doses.

The report also raised concerns over the epi-pens being stored in a fridge, potentially reducing its effectiveness if administered in response to an allergic reaction.

Among the issues cited, inspectors revealed that records showed one person had been given the wrong doses of their medicine on four out of eight day. Another was given the wrong doses on five out of 21 days.

The reports adds: “It was not possible to confirm this by checking the stock because the stock balances were not accurate. For instance, the records showed that one person started the period with 28 tablets and three were given but 121 tablets were in stock for them on the day of the inspection.”

Other issues included toilet doors not having locks and specialist mattresses, used for patients at risk of skin damage, were not set correctly.

Inspectors visited the home, on Bold Lane in Aughton, on August 7 and 9 and published its summary this month.

As well as an overall rating of “Requires Improvement”, the CQC gave that same classification to all five of the areas it assesses, which cover how the home is: safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led.

Following the inspection, the CQC issued a warning notice over the safe storage of equipment and medicine and in relation to using risk assessments to keep patients from harm. It issued a further warning notice in relation to audits and records used to record care given and needed for individual patients.

As part of the process, the CQC inspector spoke with the home’s patient, as well as their relatives, who revealed they had no concerns with their care.

Silver Birch Lodge declined to comment on the report.