Medication Adherence Tools for Long-Term Care

Medication adherence is no small matter in the US healthcare industry. In fact, nonadherence results in approximately 125,000 deaths every single year.

Managing medication becomes extra challenging when you are a caregiver looking out for a large number of residents. When residents veer off their prescribed treatment plans, complex medication regimens, and lifestyle adjustments, the consequences can be dire.

As our population ages and healthcare needs become more complex, long-term care communities must ensure that every resident adheres to their treatment plan. Their residents’ well-being and outcomes depend on it. Improving adherence among seniors can be much easier with the right digital medication adherence tools.

DosePacker’s Innovative Solutions

7 Essential Medication Adherence Tools

Here are the top medication adherence tools for long-term care communities, designed to improve patient safety, reduce missed doses, and streamline medication management workflows.

1. Electronic Health Record (EHR) Systems

EHR systems significantly improve resident compliance within long-term care organizations by being a centralized platform for storing, updating, and retrieving resident records. They ensure caregivers can access crucial information whenever needed.

Key Benefits:

• Streamlined documentation and communication
• Centralized platform for storing resident records and care plans
• Quick and secure access to relevant resident information
• Reduces the likelihood of errors, miscommunication, and oversight

2. Multi-Dose Compliance Packaging

Compliance packaging solutions are a great medication adherence tool that use advanced technology to package medications into individualized, pre-sorted doses, organized by the time and date they should be administered to residents.

Key Benefits:

• Eliminates manual pill sorting and packaging
• Simplifies the medication administration regimen
• Streamlines the med pass process
• Boosts medication compliance across your community
• Reduces medication errors

DosePacker’s Solution

Multi-dose compliance packaging features clear visual and digital cues that prompt residents to take medications at designated times:

• Clear dose cups with accurate labels
• Patient name, day of week, date, and dose administration time
• High-visibility font and high-resolution medication images
• Color-coded med pass schedule indicators
• QR code for seamless integration
• Tear-away medication sheets

Read More: Multi-Dose Compliance Packaging: What Does It Mean for Care Homes?

3. Smart Medication Storage Devices

Smart medication storage devices use advanced technology such as RFID, barcodes, QR codes, and mobile application integration to track medications from storage to administration, proving to be an effective medication adherence tool.

Key Benefits:

• Enhanced medication tracking and accountability
• Reduced medication theft and diversion
• Real-time inventory management
• Improved medication safety
• Automated alerts and notifications

DosePacker’s Solution:

DosePacker Storage systems provide intelligent medication storage solutions with secure compartments, integration with CareCommunityOS, and real-time inventory management to ensure medications are always available when needed.

4. Medication Reminder Mobile Apps

The next medication adherence tool, a mobile medication reminder app, provides digital prompts and notifications to help residents and caregivers stay on track with medication schedules.

Key Benefits:

• Customizable reminder schedules
• Push notifications for upcoming doses
• Medication history tracking
• Caregiver connectivity and oversight
• Visual medication identification

DosePacker’s Solution:

The MyDoses mobile application integrates seamlessly with DoseMinder devices, providing residents with timely alerts while giving caregivers visibility into medication adherence patterns. The app verifies resident identification before allowing access to medications, ensuring the right person receives the right dose.

DoseMinder: A small, portable medication reminder device that works with the MyDoses app. Perfect for residents who self-administer medications. When it’s time to take medicine, residents receive alerts from both the app and device. After verification, DoseMinder automatically unlocks the highlighted slot.

5. Barcode Medication Administration (BCMA) Systems

BCMA systems use barcode scanning technology to verify the “five rights” of medication administration: right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, and right time.

Key Benefits:

• Prevents medication administration errors
• Real-time verification at the point of care
• Immediate alerts for potential errors
• Electronic documentation of administration
• Improved regulatory compliance

DosePacker’s Solution:

DosePacker’s compliance packaging includes QR codes that work with BCMA systems, while DoseKart features integrated handheld scanners for seamless barcode verification during medication rounds.

6. Automated Medication Dispensing

Automated medication dispensers provide secure, computerized dispensing of medications with controlled access and tracking capabilities.

Key Benefits

• Controlled access with user authentication
• Automated inventory tracking and alerts
• Reduced medication waste
• Enhanced security and diversion prevention
• Streamlined medication retrieval process

7. Medication Reconciliation Software

Medication adherence tools, such as software capable of tracking reconciliation, help care teams maintain accurate, up-to-date medication lists across transitions of care and provider changes.

Key Benefits:

• Prevents medication discrepancies during transitions
• Maintains accurate medication histories
• Identifies duplicate therapies and drug interactions
• Facilitates communication between providers
• Reduces adverse drug events

DosePacker’s Solution:

DosePacker’s CareCommunityOS integrates with pharmacy management systems to streamline medication ordering and ensure prescriptions are accurate, up-to-date, and properly documented across all care settings.

Read More: How CareCommunityOS Increases Healthcare Interoperability

Common Medication Adherence Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Even well-intentioned care teams can fall into medication management traps that compromise resident safety and compliance. Here are the most common pitfalls and their solutions:

• Manual Documentation Errors: Handwritten records are prone to illegibility and mistakes.Solution: Implement digital medication tracking systems that automatically log each dose administration.
• Missed Doses During Shift Changes: Communication gaps during transitions lead to missed medications.Solution: Use automated reminder systems that persist across staff rotations.
• Polypharmacy Confusion: Complex regimens increase the likelihood of errors.Solution: Automated compliance packaging organizes medications by time and date, removing guesswork.
• Resident Resistance: Memory issues and refusal create compliance challenges.Solution: Smart medication dispensers with gentle alerts help residents maintain independence.

Elevate Medication Adherence Effortlessly with DosePacker

The medication adherence tools outlined in this guide are proven strategies that long-term care communities use to transform their medication administration processes. From automated compliance packaging to smart storage devices, these technologies address the root causes of non-adherence while reducing staff burden.

Whether you’re struggling with documentation errors, shift-change gaps, or simply looking to elevate your standard of care, DosePacker’s comprehensive medication management ecosystem offers solutions tailored to your community’s unique needs.

Contact our team of technology experts today to learn how DosePacker can help!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average medication adherence rate in nursing homes?

Medication adherence rates typically range from 50-70%, though facilities using automated medication management systems consistently report adherence rates above 85%.

How do smart medication dispensers improve safety?

They verify patient identity, alert staff of upcoming doses, flag potential drug interactions, and maintain detailed digital records of every administration.

What’s the ROI timeline for automated packaging systems?

Most facilities see measurable returns within 6-12 months through reduced errors, decreased staff time, lower hospitalization rates, and improved compliance.

How do you measure medication adherence improvement?

Track on-time administration percentages, missed dose frequency, error rates, hospital readmissions, and health outcomes through digital analytics platforms.

Can technology help residents with dementia?

Yes. Visual cues, automated reminders, and devices like DoseMinder offer independence while maintaining safety through timed unlocking and caregiver notifications.