The aim of Südamekodud is to ensure the safest and most accurate handling of medicines for residents. The distribution of residents’ medicines is organised through a personalised packaging system in cooperation with our partner Nõmme Pharmacy. 

The personalised packaging system ensures that the right medicine reaches the right person at the right time and in the right dose. For older people who often take several medicines simultaneously, this solution reduces the risk of errors and increases treatment safety. The personalised packaging system helps prevent possible confusion with medicines, supports correct adherence to the treatment plan according to the doctor’s instructions and helps reduce the risk of exacerbations of chronic diseases while keeping symptoms under control.

How does the system work?

Before packaging, the pharmacist reviews the treatment plans together with the treating physician and the Südamekodu nurse to prevent risks related to drug interactions and side effects.

Medicines prescribed by the doctor are packaged at the pharmacy using a special device into a personalised medication strip for up to 56 days at a time, and the order is submitted to the pharmacy two weeks before the first administration date indicated on the strip. The medication strip consists of small sealed dose sachets, each clearly marked with:

• resident’s name,
• date of administration,
• exact time,
• medicines for that specific administration time.

Only the personalised sachet intended for that specific moment is opened each time. Such a system allows precise and controlled distribution of medicines and significantly reduces the risk of medication errors.

If a new medicine is added to the treatment plan during these two weeks and the medication strip has already been prepared, the medicine is ordered from a nearby pharmacy. The nurse adds the medicine manually before administration. The new medicine will be included in the medication strip in the next 56-day period.

Accounting of medicines and original packages

The pharmacy generally accounts for medicines based on the manufacturer’s original packages. In some cases, a blister from a new box (a tablet sheet) must be used to prepare the medication strip, or the package must be used partially.

If the treatment plan changes or treatment ends, some medicines may remain unused. The pharmacy distributes only the necessary doses to residents to ensure cost-effective use of medicines. Therefore, if treatment changes, ends or for other reasons, some medicines may remain unused. Medicines left over from opened original packages must be destroyed according to regulations and cannot be returned or reused. For example, if 56 tablets are used out of 60, the remaining four tablets cannot be used later.

Medication dispensing fee

The medication dispensing fee (12 euros per two months) is related to the service that ensures correct, safe and consistent use of medicines. Once medicines have been prepared for dispensing, the respective fee applies. For example, if the treatment plan changes after the medication strip has been prepared or a medicine is discontinued, the nurse removes it manually before administration. Since the strip has already been prepared, the medicine cannot be excluded from the accounting and its cost will appear on the invoice.

The fee applies only to residents who take medicines and therefore use this service. Residents who do not need medicines do not receive the medication dispensing service and the respective fee is not applied. This arrangement follows the principle of equal treatment – payment is made only for the service actually used.

Safety and continuity above all

The personalised packaging system is used to ensure the accuracy, safety and continuity of treatment. Family members can be confident that every resident at Südamekodu receives medicines according to the doctor’s prescribed treatment plan and that medication management is transparent and controlled.

Südamekodud nurses and care managers are always ready to provide additional explanations regarding medication strips, medication accounting or other medicine-related matters.

At Südamekodud, medication management supports the resident’s health, safety and dignity every day.