Until now packs containing daily medicines, sometimes called blister packs, daily medication packs or monitored dosage systems (MDS) have only been capable of handling tablets or capsules.
Here at Gees Pharmacy we use the VCare system which allows us to dispense for you, both tablets, capsules and also liquids into separate pods.
Our patients have found this particularly useful if they have problems pouring or measuring liquid medicines.
Your medicines will be presented to you in a tamper-evident sealed unit, with descriptions on the seal as to the medicine contained inside.
What is truly unique to VCare is that these pods can be popped out and taken with you when your out for the day – even the liquids too!
Each pod has the date and time for the medicine to be taken on the seal increasing patient safety, and also reminding you of when the medicine has to be taken.
The VCare system consists of:
Recording information:
Pharmacists will add patient information to our records including allergies.
Dispensing:
Tablets and liquids are dispensed into pods contained within the trays.
Printing, Sealing & Assembly:
The tray film is now printed along with an option of printing a MAR Chart / Patient Information Sheet.
Within the care home or nursing home setting, VCare provides the ultimate way of dispensing medicines and monitoring drug usage.
The VCare system includes patented pod & tray dispensers, sealers, cabinets, trolleys, mini-packs for community use and pharmacy software.
Storage:
Once received from the pharmacy, individual patient packs can be stored in the lockable VCare Trolley which complies with CQC regulations.
Administration:
Each Patient Pack contains a 28-pod tray, with individually removable tamper-evident medicine pots.
The tray and pods are clearly labelled and can be opened easily, however once opened, they cannot be resealed, providing extra security and accountability.
VCare enables general practitioners and pharmacists to provide a user-friendly patient pack to patients, with individually labelled tamper-evident pods which can be kept within the sealed tray or removed individually when it’s time to take the drugs.
Each individual pod contains important information such as patient name, date, time of day and individual drugs contained within the pod.
The tamper evident seals provide the ideal way to prevent spillage and whilst the seal is strong, they can be easily removed by arthritic patients.
Patients or their carers can see at a glance when medication is required.