Case Study 2: Medicated Creams Champion:

Discover how the introduction of a dedicated "Champion" role transformed the management of medicated creams from a routine risk into a high-standard compliance success. This case study details the practical systems and training Perform 2 Excel implemented to ensure medicines are managed safely and documented with precision.

The Context: Addressing Routine Inconsistency

While applying medicated and prescribed creams is a daily occurrence in residential and nursing homes, it is often an area where safety risks and inconsistencies go unnoticed until an inspection. Common challenges identified by Perform 2 Excel included:

Creams not being clearly labeled with the date of opening.
Uncertainty regarding expiry dates once a product is in use.
Inconsistent signing and recording of applications across medication records.
Staff lacking confidence in whether topical creams should be treated with the same rigor as oral medication.
Variable documentation that failed to link care plans with Medication Administration Records (MARs).

The Innovation: The Medicated Creams Champion

To address these risks, we introduced the Medicated Creams Champion role. Rather than relying on individual memory or assumptions, a nominated staff member was empowered to lead safe practice. Their responsibilities include:

Acting as a point of reference for staff questions or concerns.
Leading regular, targeted checks and internal audits.
Championing safe storage and precise recording standards across the team.

Embedding Safe Practice

Perform 2 Excel supported the service by introducing simple, robust systems that are easy to maintain:

Labeling & Storage: Every cream is clearly labeled with the date opened, the expiry timeframe, and specific resident instructions .
Recording & Signing: We established clear guidance on how and when staff sign for applications to ensure consistency across care plans and MAR sheets.
Level 1 Medication Training: To support safe delegation, staff completed Medication Awareness Training focused on accountability, safe application, and knowing when to escalate concerns.

The Creams Audit Toolkit

To maintain long-term oversight, we introduced a specialised Creams Audit Toolkit Box. This practical resource provides the Champion with:

Simple audit checklists and labelling guidance.
Expiry reference information and sample documentation templates.
A structured audit schedule to ensure early identification of potential issues.

Impact: Safety, Confidence, and Compliance

The results of this targeted innovation were immediate and measurable:

Reduced Risk: Clear audit trails and consistent labelling significantly reduced the risk of non-compliance.
Staff Clarity: Teams reported feeling more supported and clearer about exactly what was expected of them.
Inspection Confidence: The service gained a powerful narrative to share with regulators, demonstrating proactive safety management

CQC & Regulation 17 Alignment

This innovation provides strong, defensible evidence across the Single Assessment Framework, proving that topical medication is treated with the same clinical rigor as oral medicine:

Safe: Proving that medicines are managed safely and risks—such as cross-contamination or the use of expired products—are significantly reduced through clear, specialized oversight.
Effective: Evidencing that residents receive the right treatment at the right time, with body maps and clear instructions ensuring that creams are applied correctly to achieve the intended health outcomes.
Caring: Demonstrating respect for resident dignity and comfort by ensuring that skin integrity is maintained and that staff are trained to apply treatments sensitively and according to individual preference.
Responsive: Showing that the service reacts quickly to changing needs; when a "Champion" identifies a lack of progress in skin healing, it triggers a swift review of the care plan or a referral to tissue viability specialists.
Well-led: Demonstrating how staff are empowered through leadership roles and how learning is embedded into daily practice, fostering a culture of pride and clinical accountability.
Regulation 17 (Good Governance): Evidencing a robust, systematic approach to assessing, monitoring, and improving safety through regular, specialized audits and accurate, contemporaneous records.