Time Sensitive Medications

What is a Time Sensitive Medication (TSM)?

Time-sensitive medications are medications that need to be taken at a specific time in order to be most effective. These medications may be taken on a fixed schedule, such as twice a day, or they may be taken around specific events, such as before or after a meal.

Time-sensitive medications can include medications for a variety of conditions, such as diabetes, blood pressure, respiratory conditions, and more.

It's important to be aware of the specific timing requirements for different medications and to follow the prescribed dosing schedule to ensure that they are taken safely and effectively.

Why are TSM’s so important?

Time-sensitive medications (TSMs) are important because taking them at the wrong time can affect their effectiveness or even lead to adverse events. For example, if a patient misses a dose of a time-sensitive medication, or takes it at the wrong time, it can disrupt the body's natural rhythms and cause the medication to be less effective.

In some cases, taking a TSM at the wrong time can even be dangerous, as it can lead to an overdose or other serious side effects.

By following the prescribed dosing schedule for TSMs, patients can ensure that they are receiving the maximum benefit from their medications.

This can help to improve their overall health and quality of life.

It's also important for care organisations to ensure that TSMs are being administered correctly, as this can help to improve patient safety and reduce the risk of errors.

By using an Electronic Medications Management System (e-MMS) like CareSuccess, care staff can easily schedule and track TSMs, ensuring that they are given at the correct times.

This can help to improve the accuracy and consistency of medication administration, ultimately leading to better outcomes.

How are TSM’s and person-centred care connected?

Time-sensitive medications (TSMs) are closely connected to person-centered care because they are prescribed based on the unique needs and circumstances of each patient. For example, a patient's TSM dosing schedule may be based on their specific health condition, age, weight, and other factors. By following a tailored TSM dosing schedule, patients can receive the most appropriate and effective treatment for their individual needs.

Person-centered care is focused on meeting the unique needs of each patient, and TSMs are an important aspect of this approach. By ensuring that TSMs are being administered correctly, care staff can help to improve patient safety and provide the best possible care.

An Electronic Medications Management System (e-MMS) like CareSuccess can be a helpful tool for supporting person-centered care by providing a clear and organized view of a patient's medication regimen. By tracking and managing TSMs in a single system, care staff can easily ensure that patients are receiving the correct medications at the right times, helping to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

Whats the CQC Guidance for TSM’s?

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is a UK organization that regulates health and social care services to ensure that they are providing safe, effective, and high-quality care.

The CQC has published guidance on the management of time-sensitive medications (TSMs) in order to help care organizations ensure that they are being administered safely and effectively.

According to the CQC, care organisations should have systems in place to ensure that TSMs are given at the correct times and in the correct doses. These systems should be tailored to the needs of each individual patient and should be reviewed regularly to ensure that they are still appropriate.

The CQC also recommends that care organisations keep accurate and up-to-date records of TSM administration, including details of the medication, the dose, the time it was given, and who administered it. This information should be easily accessible to all members of the care team and should be used to identify any issues or trends that may need to be addressed.

The CQC guidance on TSMs is intended to help care organisations provide safe and effective care to patients by ensuring that medications are being administered correctly and consistently. By following these guidelines, care organisations can help to improve patient safety and outcomes.

What is the SCIE Guidance for TSM?

The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) is a UK organization that provides guidance and resources to help improve the quality of social care services.

The SCIE has published guidance on the management of time-sensitive medications (TSMs) to help care organizations ensure that they are being administered safely and effectively.

According to the SCIE guidance, care organisations should have systems in place to ensure that TSMs are given at the correct times and in the correct doses. These systems should be tailored to the needs of each individual patient and should be reviewed regularly to ensure that they are still appropriate.

The SCIE also recommends that care organisations keep accurate and up-to-date records of TSM administration, including details of the medication, the dose, the time it was given, and who administered it. This information should be easily accessible to all members of the care team and should be used to identify any issues or trends that may need to be addressed.

In addition, the SCIE guidance suggests that care organisations should provide training and support to care staff on the safe and effective administration of TSMs. This can help to ensure that care staff are confident and competent in their duties, and can help to reduce the risk of errors.

The SCIE guidance on TSMs is intended to help care organisations provide safe and effective care to patients by ensuring that medications are being administered correctly and consistently. By following these guidelines, care organizations can help to improve patient safety and outcomes.

The SCIE guidance also emphasizes the importance of involving patients and their families in the management of TSMs. This includes providing patients with information about their medications, including their purpose, how to take them, and any potential side effects. It is also important to involve patients in the decision-making process and to ensure that their preferences and needs are taken into account when developing their TSM regimen.

By following the SCIE guidance on TSMs, care organizations can help to ensure that they are providing person-centered care that is tailored to the needs of each individual patient. This can help to improve patient safety and quality of life, and can help to reduce the risk of errors and adverse events.

What guidance doe NICE provide about TSM's?

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is a UK organization that provides guidance and recommendations on the best ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat health conditions. NICE has published guidance on the management of time-sensitive medications (TSMs) to help care organizations ensure that they are being administered safely and effectively.

According to the NICE guidance, care organisations should have systems in place to ensure that TSMs are given at the correct times and in the correct doses. These systems should be tailored to the needs of each individual patient and should be reviewed regularly to ensure that they are still appropriate.

The NICE guidance also recommends that care organisations keep accurate and up-to-date records of TSM administration, including details of the medication, the dose, the time it was given, and who administered it. This information should be easily accessible to all members of the care team, and should be used to identify any issues or trends that may need to be addressed.

In addition, the NICE guidance suggests that care organisations should provide training and support to care staff on the safe and effective administration of TSMs. This can help to ensure that care staff are confident and competent in their duties, and can help to reduce the risk of errors.

The NICE guidance on TSMs is intended to help care organizations provide safe and effective care to patients by ensuring that medications are being administered correctly and consistently. By following these guidelines, care organizations can help to improve patient safety and outcomes.

Guidance and Regulations

There are several regulations that pertain to the management of time-sensitive medications (TSMs) in the UK.

Some of the key regulations include:

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) Standards: The CQC is a UK organisation that regulates health and social care services to ensure that they are providing safe, effective, and high-quality care.

The CQC has published standards on the management of TSMs to help care organizations ensure that they are being administered safely and effectively.

The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) Guidance: The SCIE is a UK organization that provides guidance and resources to help improve the quality of social care services.

SCIE has published guidance on the management of TSMs to help care organizations ensure that they are being administered safely and effectively.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guidance: NICE is a UK organization that provides guidance and recommendations on the best ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat health conditions.

NICE has published guidance on the management of TSMs to help care organizations ensure that they are being administered safely and effectively.

The Health and Social Care Act (2008): The Health and Social Care Act (2008) is a UK law that sets out the legal framework for the regulation of health and social care services.

The Act includes requirements for the safe and effective management of medication, including TSMs.

The Mental Capacity Act (2005): The Mental Capacity Act (2005) is a UK law that protects the rights of people who may lack the capacity to make decisions about their own care and treatment. The Act includes provisions for the management of medication, including TSMs, for people who lack capacity.

These regulations are in place to help ensure that TSMs are administered safely and effectively and to protect the rights and well-being of patients.

How can electronic medicine management systems help to ensure that time sensitive medication is administered correctly?

Electronic Medications Management Systems (e-MMS) can help to ensure that time-sensitive medications (TSMs) are administered correctly in a number of ways.

Some of the key benefits of using an e-MMS for TSM management include:

Improved accuracy: An e-MMS can help to reduce the risk of errors by providing clear and up-to-date information on a patient's TSM regimen. This can include details on the medication, the dose, the frequency, and the administration times.

Enhanced communication: An e-MMS can help to improve communication between care staff and other members of the care team by providing a central location for all medication-related information. This can help to ensure that everyone involved in a patient's care is aware of their TSM regimen and can work together to ensure that it is being followed correctly.

Greater convenience: An e-MMS can make it easier and more convenient for care staff to manage TSMs by providing all the necessary information in one place. This can help to save time and reduce the workload of care staff, allowing them to focus on providing high-quality care to patients.

Better patient outcomes: By ensuring that TSMs are administered correctly, an e-MMS can help to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. This can include better control of chronic conditions, fewer adverse events, and a reduced risk of hospitalization.

NHS medication database integration: Many e-MMS systems, including CareSuccess, are integrated with the NHS medication database, which includes the top 1000 most commonly used medications. This helps to ensure the accuracy of the information provided by the e-MMS and minimizes the risk of selecting an incorrect medication.

Scheduling: An e-MMS can allow care staff to schedule TSMs electronically for a specific time, specific event (such as before or after breakfast), a single day, multiple days, or 7 days a week. This can help to ensure that TSMs are given at the correct times and in the correct doses.

Activation and suspension: An e-MMS can provide the ability for medication safety officers to activate or suspend specific TSMs as needed. This can help to ensure that patients are receiving the most appropriate and effective treatment at all times.

Record-keeping: An e-MMS can keep a log of all changes made to a patient's TSM regimen, including changes made by prescribers. This can help to ensure that care staff has access to accurate and up-to-date information on a patient's TSM regimen at all times.

Reporting Suites eg e-CDR, e-MAR, and detailed Medication logs: An e-MMS can provide access to the electronic care delivery record (e-CDR), electronic medication administration record (e-MAR), and detailed medication logs, which can help care staff easily view and track a patient's TSM regimen. This can be especially helpful for care staff working on different shifts, as they can access the most up-to-date information on a patient's TSM regimen at any time.

An e-MMS can be a valuable tool for helping to ensure that TSMs are administered correctly and consistently, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and improved care.