title: Drug administration guides in dysphagia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with dysphagia are more likely to suffer medication administration errors than those without swallowing difficulties.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the use of individualised medication administration guides (I-MAGs) for patients with dysphagia on one stroke ward over six months.
  
  
  METHODS
  A specialist pharmacist in dysphagia designed a software package supported with data on national guidelines on administering medicines to this group, which enabled the pharmacist to create I-MAGs. Once the pilot was completed, a questionnaire was given to all nurses, pharmacists and speech and language therapists who had used the guides.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 26 health professionals approached, 19 returned questionnaires. Eight (62%) nurses felt more confident in their practice when I-MAGs were in place.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  I-MAGs were well received and supported individualised care. However, they needed additional pharmacist input and greater nursing time. Research to determine the guides' cost-effectiveness is needed.
authors: University of East Anglia.
authors: Jose Manuel Serrano
authors: JM
authors: Santos
authors: Fiona
authors: F
authors: Poland
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Kelly
authors: David J
authors: DJ
authors: Wright
mesh_terms: D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D006801:Humans; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom