Developing Medication Administration Training for Non-Medical Staff In the Juvenile Justice System

The Juvenile Justice System (JJS) provides programs for youth offenders. The non-medical staff members play a key role on the healthcare team by providing care for the detained youth during their stay. One of the roles of the staff is to administer over-the-counter and prescription medications daily or as needed. This project will address the need for a medication administration training for non-medical staff at JJS to enhance the safety of its residents. Adolescents in detention facilities have various medical and psychiatric problems and may take one or several daily medications. Non-medical staff members who are supervising incarcerated youth are allowed by Utah law to administer their medication. Although medication administration is a routine part of their job, non-medical personnel do not receive proper training to prepare for safe medication administration techniques. The National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) guidelines state that JJS non-medical personnel should receive formal education using training protocols approved by administration and health care providers. JJS in Utah does not have a system in place meeting NCCHC standards, thus creating a gap in care for this population. The literature review focused on incarcerated youth and their particular needs when considering medication administration. Youth placed in JJS are considered a vulnerable population not only due to their incarcerated state, but also because of their age. This population has various medical or psychiatric issues that require prescription medication. Medication errors and drug diversion are a concern in this population with regard to medication administration. Current literature reveals a significant gap in data related to non-medical personnel medication administration techniques, training, and safety. The first objective was to identify staff's knowledge and comfort level regarding medication administration techniques. The second objective was to create a detailed medication administration training protocol to prepare all non-medical employees to safely administer various drugs to incarcerated youth. The training was presented and approved by the nursing, clinical, and training directors. The project was presented to the Utah JJS director, for evaluation and consideration of using the training protocols in all JJS facilities in the state of Utah. Twenty-six staff members completed the baseline survey that assessed their knowledge and comfort level regarding medication administration. Although more than 46% of non-medical personnel stated that they felt very comfortable administering medication, none of them knew all of the "rights" of medication administration. Additionally, none of the residential staff recognized all of the psychotropic drugs from a list of 18 common medications The survey indicated a need for staff education regarding medication administration and psychotropic drugs. The author created and provided a detailed medication administration protocol, with a post-test, a demonstration component, and a certificate of completion, and also a psychotropic medication training to be used by employees at JJS. A consistent method for training the staff is necessary to protect the health and safety of JJS residents is needed. The medication administration protocol provided for this project is one way of improving the safety of medication administration for incarcerated juveniles and also enables JJS to adhere to NCCH guidelines.