The long-term care industry is facing a perfect storm: a surging demand for services coupled with a dwindling workforce. This staffing crisis casts a long shadow, impacting every facet of resident care, but perhaps none more critically than medication management. With fewer hands on deck, ensuring accurate, timely, and personalized medication administration becomes a herculean task, putting immense pressure on already overworked staff and potentially compromising resident safety.

The Alarming Reality of Staffing Shortages

The numbers tell a compelling story:

• The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) estimates a staggering shortage of 300,000 to 400,000 long-term care workers.¹
• This workforce deficit can lead to a ripple effect of negative consequences, including increased medication errors, delayed medication administration, and decreased resident satisfaction.³

When Staffing Shortages Become a Medication Management Nightmare

Imagine a dedicated nurse juggling multiple medication rounds, each with its own intricate set of instructions and potential complications. Now picture that same nurse with twice the workload and half the support. This is the reality in many long-term care facilities grappling with staffing shortages.

The consequences can be significant:

• Overburdened Staff: Nurses and caregivers are stretched thin, leading to rushed medication rounds, potential errors, and decreased attention to individual resident needs.
• Medication Reconciliation Challenges: Accurate medication reconciliation upon admission, transfer, or discharge becomes a daunting task, increasing the risk of discrepancies and adverse drug events.
• Medication Ordering and Tracking Bottlenecks: Limited staff availability can cause delays in medication ordering, processing, and tracking, potentially disrupting treatment regimens and jeopardizing resident health.
• Resident Education Takes a Backseat: Overburdened staff may have less time to provide thorough medication counseling and education to residents and their families, hindering understanding and adherence.

Skilled Care Pharmacy: Your Partner in Navigating the Staffing Storm

At Skilled Care Pharmacy, we understand the challenges you face. We're not just a pharmacy; we're your allies in providing exceptional care, even amidst a staffing crisis. Our comprehensive medication management services can alleviate the burden on your team and ensure smooth, efficient operations.

Here's How We Can Help:

1. Streamlined Medication Dispensing:

• Accurate and Timely Delivery: We provide daily medication deliveries directly to your facility, ensuring that medications are readily available when needed, eliminating delays and reducing stress on your staff.
• Unit-Dose Packaging: Our unit-dose packaging system minimizes the time spent on medication preparation, reduces waste, and minimizes the risk of errors.
• Electronic Medication Administration Records (eMAR): Our eMAR system streamlines documentation, reduces paperwork, and improves accuracy in medication administration, freeing up valuable staff time.

    2.  Expert Consulting Services:

• 24/7 Pharmacist Support: Our experienced pharmacists are available around the clock to answer questions, address concerns, and provide expert guidance on medication management, ensuring your staff always has access to support.
• Comprehensive Medication Reviews: We conduct thorough medication reviews to identify potential drug interactions, optimize therapies, and ensure resident safety, providing an extra layer of protection.
• On-Site Support: Our pharmacists can provide on-site support to your facility, assisting with medication reconciliation, staff training, and addressing any medication-related challenges, acting as an extension of your team.

    3. Technology-Driven Solutions:

• Automated Dispensing Cabinets: Our automated dispensing cabinets enhance medication security, improve accuracy, and streamline workflows, freeing up valuable staff time for other essential tasks.
• Medication Tracking Systems: We utilize advanced technology to track medication orders, deliveries, and administration, ensuring timely and efficient medication management, even with limited staff.

The Benefits: Weathering the Storm Together

By partnering with Skilled Care Pharmacy, your facility can:

• Reduce staff workload and stress: Our services free up your staff to focus on what matters most: providing compassionate, person-centered care.
• Improve medication safety and accuracy: Our systems and processes minimize the risk of medication errors, protecting your residents and your facility.
• Enhance resident satisfaction: Our personalized approach ensures that residents receive the medications they need, when they need them, leading to better health outcomes and greater satisfaction.
• Optimize medication management: Our expert consulting services help you navigate the complexities of medication management and ensure regulatory compliance, even with limited staff.

Navigating the staffing crisis requires innovative solutions and collaborative partnerships.

Skilled Care Pharmacy is committed to supporting long-term care facilities in their quest to provide exceptional care, even in the face of staffing challenges. We're here to help you weather the storm and ensure the well-being of your residents.

Contact us today to learn more about how our services can make a difference in your facility. https://www.skilledcare.com/ 

References:

1. American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living. (2023). Long Term Care Workforce Shortage.
2. Castle, N. G., & Engberg, J. (2006). Staff turnover in nursing homes: Sources, consequences, and solutions. The Gerontologist, 46(suppl_1), 1-9.

Gurwitz, J. H., Field, T. S., Harrold, L. R., Rothschild, J., Debellis, K., Seger, A. C., ... & Avorn, J. (2005). Incidence and preventability of adverse drug events among older persons in the ambulatory setting. Jama, 293(10), 1252-1258.