Technician Certification for Medication Reconciliation: BPMH

Principle

The goal of medication reconciliation is to reduce discrepancies (undocumented intentional and unintentional) by reconciling medications at transition points (admission, transfer, and discharge)

Medication Reconciliation is a 3 step process consisting of:

1. Creating the most complete and accurate list possible of all home medication for each patient

2. Using that list when writing medication orders

3. Comparing the list against the physician’s admission, transfer, and/or discharge orders, identifying and bringing any discrepancies to the attention of the physician and if appropriate, making changes to the orders

The role of the pharmacy technician in the process is to provide technical assistance with determining the medications that the patient is currently taking and how they are being taken. The pharmacy technician cannot interpret or assess the information gathered but will communicate the information to the pharmacist or nurse who will assess and if appropriate, clarify the discrepancies with the physician.

Certification Process

Pharmacy Technicians who wish to be included in the group of technicians that will be involved in the Medication Reconciliation Process will be required to complete the education requirements followed by a demonstration of their ability to meet certification requirements.

A) Education on Medication Reconciliation

The education program will consist of:

  1. A required reading package consisting of selected readings and references from SHN! Getting Started Kit. This is completed independently prior to the education presentation
  2. An interactive education session that will include the following information:
  • Definition and Purpose of Medication Reconciliation
  • Documentation for Recording Patients Pre-admission Medications
  • Strategies to use to collect a complete list of Patients Pre-admission Medications
  • Sample of types of questions to use and communication techniques to use with patients to result in a Best Possible Medication History
  • Introduction to Patient Interviewing Skills
  • Process for communicating the information obtained and any discrepancies or issues to the physician, pharmacist or nurse
  • Policies and procedures relative to Medication Reconciliation at RMH
  • Record keeping requirements and workload documentation.

Interview observation and practice:

  • The technician will observe the pharmacist or Med Rec Lead Hand completing BPMHs for a minimum of five clients
  • The technician will collect the data, observe the pharmacist/Lead Hand interviewing the client, and prepare the BPMHs for a minimum of ten clients. Detailed feedback will be provided.
  • The technician will perform the entire BPMH process, including the interview, under observation by the pharmacist/ Lead Handfor a minimum of ten clients. The BPMHs will be assessed for accuracy and completeness and feedback will be provided.

B)Requirements for Medication Reconciliation Technicians

The pharmacy technician will be evaluated by conducting a patient interview to assess their overall knowledge, skills, and attitude in obtaining a list of patient’s preadmission medication. Assessment will include their suitability for this function. In addition, the technician will complete a written test which will evaluate knowledge of the basic steps and patient interview skills during the BPMH process.

Technician Certification for Medication Reconciliation rev March 23, 2010Page 1 of 2