Self-Assessment Development Plan in Drug Administration - Essay Example

?PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTION PLAN Self Assessment in Drug Administration The skills and knowledge that I haveattained in the administration of drugs to patients is sufficient enough for effective practice. This is demonstrated by the knowledge that I have for the classification of various drugs in relation to their mode of action in the treatment of various conditions. Additionally, I have adequate knowledge of the various forms of drugs in addition to the kinetics of action. This is in accordance to Siew, Hui Ming & Omar (2010, p. 603) which stipulates that prescribers must have knowledge on the kinetics of various forms of drugs to ensure effectiveness in administration and thus the management of the condition of the patient. More importantly, I am adequately knowledgeable about the action of various drugs. This knowledge enables me to determine the allergic reactions which would emanate from the administration of various preparations. Caulfield (2005, p. 43) reflects that a prescriber should be able to understand the possible adverse effects which would result from administration of various drugs to patients. The knowledge that I have on the adverse effects of drug preparations has enabled me to be able to inform the patient accurately of the possible side effects of drugs. Chernecky (2001) illustrates that knowledge of the side effects of various drug preparations is mandatory for nurses and drug prescribers because it enhances decision making in treatment and as a result leads to quality in drug administration and patient care in general. Additionally, I am aware of the toxicity which would result from the administration of specific preparations. This knowledge ahs enabled me to achieve proper and effective management of drug administrations with a view of avoiding possible toxicities. Aschenbrenner & Venable (2009) reveal that knowledge on the interactions of various drugs is necessary so that proper preparations are administered so that toxicities and adverse effects are avoided. Through this knowledge, prescribers are able to ensure that patients are protected from harm which could emanate from adverse reactions in the process of drug interaction. More importantly, I have knowledge on the dose response of various drugs in relation to the diversity among patients such as gender, age, weight, condition, drug history, activity and nutrition. Nonetheless, effective application of this knowledge has enabled me to achieve success in drug administration. In addition to my knowledge of the various concepts of drug administration and the ability to apply this knowledge, I am equipped with relevant skills in the administration of medicine to patients. The skills I have include effective communication during drug administration, accuracy in documentation and the ability for effective application of the six rights in drug administration. Nursing and Midwifery Council (2004) stipulates that in the administration of drugs, nurses must apply their communication skills effective to ensure that patients are adequately informed about the administered drugs. Through communication, I am to understand the previous drug history of the patient and matters which would affect the efficacy or potency of drugs in addition to the possible adverse effects which would stem out of the use of specific drug preparations. Additionally, through effective application of my communication skills during administration of medication, I am able to collaborate effectively with other medical professionals to ensure high quality in health care delivery. Bennett (2010, p. 22) stipulates that in the administration of medicine to patients, nurses are mandated to apply their skills and knowledge to ensure that the right medication, dose, route, documentation and time are applied in the administration of drugs to the right patient while respecting the right of the patient in the refusal of the medication (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, & Ovid Technologies, Inc., 2003). Areas of Development Regardless of the various skills, competencies and skills that I have achieved in the administration of medicine to patients, there are areas which I consider that I require developing in. I need to develop and thus improve drug calculation. This need is motivated by the challenges that I have encountered in the process of drug administration which result from the inefficiencies in drug calculation. Through development of my skills, knowledge and ability in drug calculation; I will be enabled to maintain accuracy and as a result prevent errors in drug administration. Skuteris (2000, p. 16) illustrates that the development of drug calculation knowledge and skills is necessary for accuracy in the calculating drug dosage, drug volume in addition to the rate at which the drugs are to be administered. In accordance to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (2004), nurses are mandated to familiarize themselves with the various mathematical formulae in addition to the ability to apply them in accurate calculation of drug volumes and the rate at which they are to be administered to the patients. Through the development of drug calculations I will be able apply unit conversions effectively in drug administration. Additionally, the development of drug calculations will enable me to achieve accuracy in the rate of administration especially for large volumes of infusion preparations. My abilities in the calculation of the weight determined doses, concentration of solutions and volume ratios will be made possible. I also require developing my knowledge on the various groups of drugs within the drug classification scheme. This will enable to achieve efficiency in categorizing drugs in relation to the conditions which they treat. The development of my drug grouping skills will also enable me to prevent errors or mistakes in drug administration which are related to giving drugs for a condition with which they do not collate. Bhuvanesh, et al (2008) explains that drug grouping abilities must be developed and enhanced by all nurses and practitioners in general because they enable them to accurately administer various drugs in relation to the condition of the patient. An understanding of the drug groups with therefore enables me to administer the right group of drug for the right patient and at the right dose and time. Wechsler (2009, p. 374) further elaborates that knowledge of the various classes or groups of drugs helps nurses and other health care professionals to ensure that correct preparation is administered for the right condition and thus ensure that the patient is enabled to recover from his or her condition without any adverse effects or toxicities. The knowledge and skills that I have on the side effects, adverse reactions, reactions and toxicities needs to be developed further because of the diversity of drugs and sensitivities among patients. Moreover, the development of knowledge on drug reactions and the application of this knowledge will enable me to achieve the ethical and legal requirements of practice. For example, knowledge on the side effects will help me to determine the allergies which patients would develop towards various drug substances. Skuteris (2000, p. 16) points out that it is mandatory for prescribers to have knowledge of the side effects of various drugs because this information must be given to the patients. Therefore, through the development of my knowledge on side effects and interaction of drugs, I will be able to achieve patient centered care by communicating to the patients about the possible side effects of side effects. As a result, patients will be adequately informed so that they would make suitable choices among the various alternative drugs in the treatment of specific conditions. According to Nursing and Midwifery Council (2004), safe administration of various drugs and reparations is imperative for all nurses. It is thus through the development of my knowledge and applicability of the drug side effects that I will be able to adhere to the legal ethical practices in additional to the procedure and policies of effective drug administration. Plan of Action In order to achieve effective development of my drug calculation abilities and skills, I will focus on constant practice in drug dosage, volume and administration rate arithmetic. Moreover, I will practice maintaining accuracy in drug administration without compromising on the speed at which I achieve solutions to various drug calculations and measurement. I will also combine theory and practice so that I will be able to be conversant with the units of conversion in drug calculations as efficiently as possible. Moreover, I will practice on the management of various infusion rates. The focus on my plan will be on the development of experience in drug calculations which will help me to achieve accuracy and as a result prevent errors in the administration of drugs to the patients. More importantly, I will engage in consultation with the more knowledgeable health care professionals who will assist me in the execution and successful implementation of my plan. To attain adequate knowledge and skills in the categorization or groups of drugs, I will engage in theoretical inquiry in combination to its application in the practice of drug administration. This plan will enable me to master the various categories of drugs. I will focus at determining the right group of drugs for specific conditions and the side effects or adverse reactions which are related to various drugs. Additionally, I will endeavor at expanding my knowledge on the side effects which are related to various drugs. With consultative practice, I will also acquire skills of determining the possible adverse effects which would emanate from the use of drugs by specific categories of patients with specific conditions. Pugsley, Authier & Curtis (2008) explain that some drug side effects would demonstrate unexpected adverse effects and thus consultation with more experienced practitioners is required for effectiveness of nursing practice. More importantly, I will relate the drug classes to drug kinetics and the related reactions and thus be able to determine the side effects which are related to each category of drugs and individual drugs. Resources In the achievement of my plan I will apply both human and material resources. The medical professions and colleagues will be the human resources who would enable me to achieve effectiveness in the implementation of my plan for development of my abilities and skills. I will have a mentor who will guide me and direct me on the best practices of drug administration. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, & Ovid Technologies, Inc., (2003) shows that in the development of health care skills and knowledge is effectively achieved through proper mentorship. Material resources that I will use in the execution and implementation of my plan include information materials on health care and specifically on the administration of medication. I will use the internet to access information databases and online libraries on drug administration which will help me to equip myself with adequate knowledge for its application in practice. Additionally, I will access the university library for information materials on drug administration. More importantly, I will commit myself in the use of these resources for effective achievement of the goals of my plan. Timeline For efficient and effectiveness in the achievement of the goals of the plan and successful implementation of the plan, I will develop myself within a period of four weeks. In the first week, I will embark on the theoretical framework of drug grouping, side effects and drug calculations with the use of the various resources as described therein. In the second and third week, I will apply this knowledge in actual practice. This period will include the practice of achieving accuracy and efficiency of drug calculations and applications of drug categories for the right patient, time, dose and rate. On the fourth week I will evaluate my progress. I will achieve thorough evaluation through both self evaluation and assessment by colleagues and my mentor. Through this evaluation, I will be able to determine my success in the achievement of the plan for self development in the administration of drugs. References Aschenbrenner, D. S., & Venable, S. J., 2009, Drug therapy in nursing, Philadelphia, Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Bennett, J. 2010, "Effects of interruptions to nurses during medication administration", Nursing management, vol. 16, no. 9, pp. 22-23 Bhuvanesh, A., Wang, S., Khasawneh, M., Lam, S.S., Srihari, K. & Gandhi, T. 2008, "Applying SHERPA to Analyze Medication Administration in the Cardiac Telemetry Unit", IIE Annual Conference.Proceedings, pp. 1677-1682. Caulfield, H. 2005, "The Code of Conduct and prescribing", Practice Nurse, vol. 29, no. 4, pp. 42-46 Chernecky, C. C., 2001, “Drug calculations & drug administration”, Philadelphia, PA, W. B. Saunders Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, & Ovid Technologies, Inc., 2003, “Medication administration made incredibly easy”, Philadelphia, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Nursing and Midwifery Council, UK, 2004, “The NMC Code of Professional Conduct: Standards for conduct, performance and ethics”, NMC, London Pugsley, M, Authier, S, & Curtis, M 2008, 'Principles of Safety Pharmacology', British Journal of Pharmacology, 154, 7, pp. 1382-1399 Siew Siang, C, Hui Ming, C, & Omar, A 2010, 'Drug administration errors in pediatric wards: a direct observation approach', European Journal of Pediatrics, 169, 5, pp. 603-611 Skuteris, L. R., 2000, “Master five common medication administration questions”, Nursing Management, 31(8), 16-17 Wechsler, J. 2009, "Drug safety concerns focus attention on postmarketing surveillance, medication errors", Formulary, vol. 34, no. 4, pp. 373-374 Read More