Administration of buccal midazolam to clients in DADHC’s group homes

Executive, 23 June 2008, EX80/08

"The Association requests that DADHC addresses the concerns of staff in relation to administration of Buccal Midazolam."

The Association was contacted by members across the regions of Metro South and Metro North regarding the administration of Buccal Midazolam to clients in-group homes.

The Association approached the Department to seek clarification regarding the administration of Buccal Midazolam by members employed in the position of Residential Support Worker.

The Department informed the Association that, under the current NSW Health Medication-Handling in Community-Based Health Services/Residential facilities in NSW - Guidelines PD 2005 - 105, it is not a barrier to non-nursing staff administering Buccal Midazolam and that it is a procedure that anyone can be trained to undertake.

The Department further informed the Association that when Buccal Midazolam is prescribed for a client an administration regime is recorded in the Epilepsy Management Plan and that training to administer Buccal Midazolam is required either by a Registered Nurse who has been deemed competent or from an approved external provider.

The Association does not believe that the Department have been able to:

· Adequately demonstrate the procedures required to administer such medication.
· Identify what the Occupational Health and Safety risks of administering Buccal Midazolam by a Residential Support Worker.
· The extent of training required to administer Buccal Midazolam by a staff person other than a Registered Nurse.