Important new features for MedSig® e-signing for Aged Care

Webstercare has released important new features in the recent update for MedSig e-signing – the safe, efficient, intuitive electronic signing system that reinforces compliance when administering medications.

Two crucial goals of residential aged care facilities – process efficiency and risk management. They are at the heart of Webstercare’s MedSig e-signing system and enable aged care staff to safely sign for medications electronically during an administration round.

Data available through the MedSig e-signing system includes comprehensive resident medication information and colour images, unlimited dosage / round times and a health dashboard to assist with clinical monitoring.

The new features include:

• New reporting functions for psychotropic medication
• An easy-to-use pain scale recording tool
• The facility to record patch placement
• Dual signing functionality for high risk medication
• Reports supporting safe handover between shifts

Gerard Stevens AM, Managing Director of Webstercare, says that the latest version of MedSig provides important additional functionality for users.

“MedSig includes key functionality for users, providing additional clinical medication information during the medication round. These features were developed thanks to valued feedback from our customers  and also in response to learnings from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission,” said Mr Stevens.

“As with everything we do, this is to improve medication adherence, safety and peace of mind for residents and aged care staff.”

Recently, Webstercare customers took part in a webinar training to understand the new features of MedSig and how to apply them for optimal outcomes.

• Psychotropic reports: Supplying evidence to demonstrate the minimisation of chemical restraints in facilities is required by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. The Psychotropic Medications Reports act as a self-assessment measurement tool produced at the click of a button, saving time and double handling.
• Patch placement recording: Medication errors commonly occur around the application and removal of patches. Patches are prone to falling off or being accidentally removed. Knowing where they were last applied can be time consuming, uncomfortable for the resident and a potential medication incident. Using the MedSig^® Health Dashboard to record the placement and removal of patches provides an instant record and visual diagram of when and where patches have been applied and removed.
• Pain Scale recording: The ability to record a resident’s pain level is very important because it helps assess the need for and the outcome of pain medication intervention. It also ensures effective communication between all staff on a resident’s level of pain and provides consistency of language and reporting.
• Dual signing: Increasing importance is being placed on the administration of high risk medications. Many high risk medications require the recording and administration process to be sighted by two staff, therefore requiring dual signing. As every facility is different, it allows the ability to tailor the dual signing requirements to an organisation’s policies and procedures.

Associated reporting details the administration history of high risk medications marked for dual signing.

• Improved handover report: Handover is always a busy time. The Handover Report is easily prepared and records any new, changed or ceased medications, non-daily or PRN administrations and administration exceptions over a 24 hour period. This greatly assists communication of important information at this time.

For more information about the resources available from Webstercare, click here.