client in nursing home who suffers from confusion refuses to take medication.Staff in the home then administer medication by putting it in sandwich.Is this procedure against the law
2006-11-23 06:53:27 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Other - Health
no, It is common practice in most places usually you try some thing sweet first. If they are cofused (dementia) they cannot legally make the decision for themselves.
2006-11-23 06:56:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No.
Anyone has the right to refuse treatment if they are capable of making an informed decision - that includes the ability to understand the significance of their medical condition; the risks attached to not taking the meds, and any alternatives the medical officer or doctor may be able to offer.
If a patient is unable to make such a decision, the doctor must decide on behalf of the patient what will be in their best interests. This is often done in consultation with the family, but the final decision will be the doctor's, based on best practice and usually evidence based.
The nurses will often use yoghurt or creme fraiche to sweeten the medicine - sometimes patients are unable to swallow tablets, in which case they must be ground to powder. This is very bitter and unpalatable, so the sweet taste makes it easier for the patient.
I haven't heard of staff putting medication in a sandwich - I imagine it's the same principle.
If you're a relative, you could always ask why the staff are doing that, I'm sure there's a good reason for it.
2006-11-23 07:25:18 · answer #2 · answered by RM 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
In the context of your question this is assault and illegal in the UK.
The patient has been offered the medication and refused.
There are exceptions, but in practise you don't see it.
I can understand the "nurses" motivation to help the patient who they think is incapable of making the "right" decision, but it is the patient who is protected in law. It is absolutely their right to refuse any treatment or medication.
On a slightly more trivial matter this also meas the medication is being administered outside its product license (unless licensed for use mixed with food - v.v. unlikely), and therefore this practise leaves the nurse open to personal liabilities in the event of any side effects suffered by the patient.
MAR (Medical Administration Records) have lots of space to record that the patient has refused medication - that's why it there!
2006-11-23 08:47:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is against the law to put anything into someone else without their or their caregivers permission. The only exception when you don;t need expressed consent is in the case of an emergency where delay of treatment would harm the patient.
For the demented patients, generaly its the power of attorney or legal next of kin that makes those decisions. Most care facilities work on the principle that all treatments are to be given, unless voiced otehrwise.
2006-11-23 07:43:42 · answer #4 · answered by A A 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, not if a consent form has been signed by the client, doctor or relative which will also state WHO can administer.
The consent form will be reviewed on a regular basis along with the meds chart.
2006-11-23 07:13:43 · answer #5 · answered by puffy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmmmm, tricky. If the client isn't legally able to make decisions for themselves then I would say it's OK. If they are then, no. The patient needs a mental health evaluation to decide if he/she is capable to make decisions for themselves - I would guess if they are in a nursing home for confusion, then they aren't capable and probably a family member is responsible for the decisions. So, if it's alright by the family member then it is fine to do.
2006-11-23 07:00:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If a consultant psychiatrist has given permission based on it being in the person best interests ie mental or physical health then it is perfectly acceptable if the person concerned does not have the mental capacity to make decisions about their welfare. If no permission is given by doctor or consultant then it is totally unacceptable and can be viewed as abuse
2006-11-23 07:05:09 · answer #7 · answered by voluptuous 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not if the person knows they are taking medecine. It's actually popular. They'll mix medecine with something sweeter so the patient can drink it.
But I guess if the person is 'confused' you can ask the family's consent.
2006-11-23 07:03:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
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2016-10-17 10:58:08 · answer #9 · answered by bassage 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In a legal sense this is assault and the regulatory body for nursing would take quite a dim view of this method of administrating medicine. It is also dangerous because unless someone stays with that person until they have eaten everything, someone else could come along and take the food that has been spiked, risking possible overdosing or side effects/reaction.
2006-11-23 07:03:44 · answer #10 · answered by Daisy the cow 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Yes it is against the law. what is happening is illegal and the nurses doing it risk losing their jobs and worse.
The only way drugs can be secreted in food is if it is for the persons mental health and it is a multiagency decision based on the persons best interests and written up in a care plan.
2006-11-23 07:06:36 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋