Crushing medications danger
A survey has uncovered widespread drug abuse among hospital nurses and in nursing homes as well.
This is the practice of crushing up medications and breaking open capsules into jam, honey or ice cream to help people swallow them and presumably make the nurses’ medication rounds go faster.
The problem with crushing medications is that it can interfere with carefully designed tablet and capsule technology that ensures the drug is released safely and effectively into the bloodstream.
A survey of Queensland hospitals has found that the practice of crushing medications is common and potentially dangerous.
A previous study in South Australian nursing homes made similar findings. It’s true that elderly people after a stroke, for example, find it hard to swallow but there are alternatives that pharmacists can offer.
What’s needed is for hospitals and nursing homes to change this practice.