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How to Guide a deaf and blind Patient on safe and effective use of his medicine?

suppose you are a community pharmacist, you have a patient he is deaf and blind as well, how you will guide him to take his medicine on time, and which medicine BD, OD, or TDS etc, before and after food etc.

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Question added by irfan ullah , Pharmacist , Northwest General Hospital and Research Center Peshawar
Date Posted: 2014/05/15
Sadaqat Ali
by Sadaqat Ali , Hospital Pharmacist , Women & Children Hospital MTI Bannu

  1. Establish Trust: Begin by introducing yourself and gaining the patient's trust. Use touch to communicate your presence and ensure they feel comfortable.

  2. Use Tactile Communication: Utilize tactile methods such as hand-over-hand guidance to demonstrate how to handle medications safely. Let them touch and feel the medication containers, emphasizing distinguishing features like shape, size, and texture.

  3. Provide Clear Instructions: Use simple, concise language to explain medication administration steps. Use tactile cues like raised dots or textures on medication labels to indicate important information like dosage and frequency.

  4. Demonstrate Techniques: Physically guide the patient's hand to show them how to open medication containers, measure dosages, and administer the medication. Repeat the process until they feel confident.

  5. Employ Visual Aids: If the patient has residual vision, use large-print or braille instructions to supplement verbal and tactile guidance. Utilize high-contrast colors for easier visibility.

  6. Encourage Questions: Encourage the patient to ask questions and provide feedback. Use affirmative tactile cues like nods or gentle touches to signal understanding.

  7. Offer Supportive Resources: Provide written or braille materials detailing medication information, potential side effects, and emergency contact information for further reference.

  8. Follow Up: Schedule regular follow-up sessions to review medication procedures and address any concerns or difficulties the patient may encounter.

  9. Involve Caregivers: Train caregivers or family members on medication administration techniques to ensure continuity of care and support for the patient.

  10. Accessibility Considerations: Ensure that the pharmacy environment and medication packaging are designed with accessibility in mind, incorporating features like large-print labels, braille instructions, and easy-open containers.

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muhammad sajjad hafeez
by muhammad sajjad hafeez , PHARMACY TECHNICIAN , THQ Hospital Kot Addu

 you are a community pharmacist, you have a patient he is deaf and blind as well, how you will guide him to take his medicine on time, and which medicine BD, OD, or TDS etc, before and after food etc

- Employ the use of Dose Administration Aids (DAAs)  

- Counsel the family and/or carer after getting the patient's consent of course

- Perform regular follow ups with the patient- a phone call a few days later then every now and then would not only benefit the patient but would build excellent rapport (the importance of follow up is often discarded by pharmacists as not important whereas it is pivotal to our duty of care)