Drug administration guides in dysphagia

Background: Patients with dysphagia are more likely to suffer medication administration errors than those without swallowing difficulties.
Aim: To evaluate the use of individualised medication administration guides (I-MAGs) for patients with dysphagia on one stroke ward over six months.
Method: A specialist pharmacist in dysphagia designed a software package supported with data on national guidelines on administering medicines to this group, which enabled the pharmacist to create I-MAGs. Once the pilot was completed, a questionnaire was given to all nurses, pharmacists and speech and language therapists who had used the guides.
Results: Of 26 health professionals approached, 19 returned questionnaires.
Eight (62%) nurses felt more confident in their practice when I-MAGs were in place.
Conclusion: I-MAGs were well received and supported individualised care. However, they needed additional pharmacist input and greater nursing time. Research to determine the guides’ cost-effectiveness is needed.