Self-Administration of Medicines (SAM) while you are in hospital
Self-Administration of Medicines (SAM) while you are in Hospital
Patient information
Pharmacy
The Patient Information Leaflets page on the Trust website is available on the link:
- Author ID: GM
- Leaflet Ref: Corp 019
- Version: 9
- Leaflet title: Self-Administration of Medicines (SAM) while you are in Hospital
- Date Produced: February 2025
- Expiry Date: February 2027
Taking your own medications while you are in hospital
On this ward a self-administration of medicines (SAM) scheme is available that will enable you to be responsible for taking your own medicines following nursing assessment on admission. Part of this assessment includes signing a consent form to indicate that you wish to take part.
Your own medicines may be used during your stay with us as you are familiar with these. If we cannot use these medicines, we will arrange a suitable supply to enable you to self-medicate. Any additional medicines will be given to you by the hospital pharmacy.
Self-administration helps you to improve your knowledge of your medicines and the reason for taking them, so you will be able to manage your medicines better after you are discharged.
This scheme is not compulsory, so you do not have to take part. If you do not take part the nurse/midwife will administer your medicines in the normal way and give you information about them for when you go home.
There may be certain clinical situations, medications or treatments where self-administration is not appropriate. This will be discussed with you during your stay in hospital.
About SAM
- If there are any changes to your prescribed medications then you will be told about these changes by your nurse, doctor or pharmacist
- If you are given a key to the locker where your medicine will be stored, it is your responsibility to keep the medicines and key in a safe place
- If a visitor or other patient tries to take your key or medicines, you must inform a nurse immediately
- Never share your medicines with anyone else
- If you forget to take a dose of medicine, tell a member of the nursing staff
- Do not exceed the prescribed dose
- A pharmacist will be involved in your medication review during your stay and will support your wish to self-medicate in hospital.
- You must return your key to your nurse before you go home
- Medicines, if not properly used, can be dangerous