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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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Covert medication administration to older people
— systematic literature review, current guidance and clinical implications | | Author(s) | J AS Mair, S D Shenkin |
| Journal title | Continuing Medical Education Journal, vol 14, no 1, 2012 |
| Pages | pp 3-8 |
| Source | http://www.rila.co.uk/site/modules.php?name=Journa... |
| Keywords | Dementia ; Behaviour disorders ; Confusion ; Medical care ; Drugs ; Social ethics. |
| Annotation | Covert medication is the administering of medications to patients without their knowledge or consent and in disguised form - usually by concealing or mixing them into food or drink. This controversial practice is commonly considered when a patient refuses medication and lacks capacity to consent to or refuse treatment for medical conditions (such as when the patient has dementia, is confused or has behavioural problems) but treatment is in his or her best interests. In the present study a systematic literature review identified eight studies of covert medication, mostly based in nursing homes or psychiatric units, reporting covert medication use in 30-71% of institutions and to 1.5_17% of residents. Guidelines on the use of covert medication are reviewed, and practical guidance is provided for geriatric medicine specialists. Local policies should be clear to ensure: 1) covert medication is not given to patients with capacity; 2) the multidisciplinary team including pharmacist are involved; 3) the patients' capacity is assessed, documented and covert medication use agreed using the principles of appropriate legislation. (JL). |
| Accession Number | CPA-121102204 A |
| Classmark | EA: EP: EDC: LK: LLD: TQ |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
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| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
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