A new study from the Danish Patient Safety Authority (Styrelsen for Patientsikkerhed) reveals ongoing serious issues with medication management in the country’s nursing homes. During 2023, inspections conducted at 210 nursing homes indicated medication management errors in 63 percent of cases. Furthermore, 65 percent of these inspections revealed deficiencies in the documentation of residents’ current health problems and risks.

Charlotte Hjort, head of the authority, emphasizes the necessity of managerial focus and clear instructions to prevent these mistakes. “Our inspections demonstrate that there is still a need for heightened attention and managerial actions to address the identified issues,” she states.

Inspections are often carried out based on specific concerns, past mistakes, or concrete complaints from residents or healthcare professionals. Additionally, random checks are also conducted to ensure compliance with standards, explains Hjort.

Rikke Hamfeldt, senior consultant at the Elderly Association (Ældre Sagen), shares concerns about the lack of oversight in medication management. She highlights that these problems can have potentially serious consequences for the often very ill elderly residents. The Elderly Association suggests several solutions, including better staff training, regular reviews of workflows, and the implementation of dedicated nursing home doctors and pre-packaged medications. “It is crucial that management takes responsibility for ensuring correct medication management and documentation,” says Hamfeldt.

Although the Danish Patient Safety Authority provides tools and learning materials to assist nursing homes, it is evident that significant challenges remain in ensuring patient safety. Previous studies also uncovered serious shortcomings, and a review of over 500 inspections conducted between March 2021 and 2023 resulted in one out of four inspections leading to an official order for improvement.

The persistent issues surrounding medication management in nursing homes necessitate ongoing effort and managerial accountability to ensure that the most vulnerable citizens receive proper care and medication.