CQC and the Storage of Medicines

The Care Quality Commission has been auditing doctor surgeries, care homes and hospitals and often they are finding that improper storage of medicines have the potential to compromise the quality of said medicines and patient safety. Last year the Welsh Elderly care wards were subject to spot checks in response to the “Trusted to Care “report published in May 2014 which criticised the care of the elderly in two Welsh hospitals. The main areas assessed were sedation, medication, continence care and hydration. The non-conformities were appertaining to storage of medicines including CDs and the lack of space to prepare medicines. All professionals who store, supply or sell medications need to be trained on how to store medication properly. They should understand the consequences of non-compliance.  Good Distribution Practice Training would be advised.