2184 QIP: to assess the effect of education, timesheets and timers on the administration times of Parkinson’s medications

Abstract Background NICE guidance for administration of dopaminergic medications is within thirty minutes of the prescribed time. Patients with Parkinson’s Disease are frequent attenders of the ED, often leading to admission for a variety of reasons. Medication timing as an inpatient is frequently sub optimal, leading to potential harm of the patient and prolonged inpatient stays. Interventions previously seen to be beneficial include medication posters and alarms, tested across multiple wards at a different trust. This project aims to assess three interventions looking to improve the administration time of dopaminergic medication at Aintree University Hospital. Method Three interventions were assessed: education, medication timesheets ad medication timers. These were assessed on one surgical and one medical ward. Baseline data was collected prior to implementation, then following each data was recollected. Nursing staff opinion and knowledge were also assessed using surveys at baseline, following education and at the end of the project. Results Baseline data showed an average of 18.75% of doses given out of range on the surgical unit. Education proved to be useful, reducing the average to 12.5%. Medication timers were the most promising intervention, improving the average to 10.7%. However, when plotted on a control chart the changes appear unconvincing for significance. Surveys showed an initial reluctance for the use of timers, but following their use they then became the preferred intervention. Obstacles to their use were identified, such as loss of instructions and difficulty in changing the settings. Conclusion This project has found evidence to support the use of medication timers to facilitate more accurate administration of dopaminergic medications. However further assessment is required with a follow up QI project given the uncertainty seen on the control charts.