The Nurses' Responsability in the Prevention of Medical Errors - Term Paper Example

Prevention of Medication Errors ABSTRACT The study provides insight on the nurses’ perceptions as regards to medication errors. The findings indicate that there are disparities in the perceptions of nurses as regards to the causes and treatment of medication errors. Causes range from illegible physician handwriting, and tired, distracted and exhausted nurses. This paper looks at the various medication administration rights that should be observed by nurses in an effort to prevent medication errors. The study treats patient safety as an important aspect of nursing. It identifies the six major medication administration rights that need to be observed during patient care. The study draws close attention to the health care provided by nurses as regards to patient safety with key measures being the errors and their frequency of occurrence. The implication of this study therefore is to sensitize the health care providers on the medication administration rights and how to apply them to reduce medication errors. A medication error is any event which is preventable that may lead to improper medication use or patient injury while the medication is in the control of a health care professional, consumer or patient. Under the state laws, injury to a patient that arises as a consequence of negligence or medical malpractice, results in a tort (Cima et al, 2012). This is punishable under a court of law. Medication errors may be related to professional practice, health care products, systems and procedure. Poor drug prescription including order communication, labeling of drugs, nomenclature, compounding, dispensing, administration and use are among the major medication errors. Therefore, there should be minimal or no room at all for errors especially human that may lead to injury of any form on a patient. There are nursing guidelines that govern nurses to help them prevent medication errors (Sherwood, 2012. This is because the nurses are the ones who most of the time, the patient is hospitalized, form an intimate relationship with in the acute phases. This paper therefore seeks to have an insight into the major medical administration rights and steps nurses can take in the prevention of medication errors. In this regard, the nurses need to properly understand the six major medical administration rights during patient care. In simple terms, it is an attempt at improving safety at this point of care. This is especially for the vulnerable population such as the elderly in the society or the infants and children. Nurses are required to strictly observe the rights of medical administration. This is part of the many intervention aspects of nursing that help to reduce medical related errors. The various medical administration rights that should be adhered to are as discussed below; Right patient At times, busy hospitals and emergency centers can innocently misrepresent the identity of a patient either through the manual processes used or overlooked while under pressure. Therefore nurses should take proper records of a patient such as the names age and where from to act as identifiers. With the advancement in technology, the use of a bar-code system can be helpful in preventing probable medication errors. For example, a patient suffered injury as a result of being administered with a different patient’s prescription for blood thinner warfarin. The patient developed serious hemorrhage Right drug It is not possible for every nurse to know the drug facts for each drug and particular patients therefore it is advisable for every nurse to be knowledgeable about the drugs being administered to a patient. It is only professional and competent for a nurse to look up for more drug information in unfamiliar instances before administering a drug on a patient. It is the right of the patient to receive the right information on a medication, a right to receive correct medication and a nurse having knowledge on the medication they are providing. to prevent errors it is prudent for a nurse to check the order and the label are correct. Right dose The correct dosage is necessary for patient recovery and care. Nurses ought to ensure the correct order of the dose is requested. It is also important that nurses do a confirmation on the appropriateness of the dosage with reference to a current drug. In necessary circumstances a cross check can be done on calculating the dosage by different practitioners for clarity. An example is where a patient died from being overdosed with 20 units of insulin that was abbreviated as ’20 U’, and the ‘U’ was misinterpreted for a ‘zero’. A dose of 200 units of insulin was administered which caused death of the patient. Right route This refers to the method used to administer a drug to a patient. Nurses should be sure of the order as well as the appropriateness of the route ordered. To be thorough sure, it is prudent to confirm that a patient can receive or take the medication in the prescribed manner or route. Right time Any medication is to be administered in substantial conformity with the physician’s order. Nurses should confirm the frequency of the ordered medication and when the last dose was administered to the patient. For purposes of preventing medication errors, nurses should double check that the ordered dose is administered at the correct time. Right documentation It is prudent to document the patient’s progress after administering the ordered medication. This can be in the form of a time chart, route chart and any other specific information as necessary. For example, documenting the site of an injection or a crucial sign that requires to be checked first before medication can be administered. This ensures that medication errors are prevented. Therefore it is necessary that nurses take initiative steps in preventing medication errors (Sherwood, 2012. This can be possible if they are well knowledge and seek further explanation where there is no clear understanding. They should be free and open to ask questions and to share information with the doctors or pharmacists especially when the prescription is strange or the doctor is new. In conclusion, therefore, it is important that the medical practice rules and guidelines are adhered to in the administration of medication to patients. Nurses ought to be aware that patient safety is paramount and that it is their responsibility to undertake all measures to avert medication errors. Proper rules and guidelines policies that govern the nursing practice are substantial in ensuring that ethics and morality are maintained in an effort to sustain patient safety. This is because any deviation from the appropriate medication ordered that eventually leads to patient injury constitutes a tort which attracts a legal suit. Therefore in a bid to be on a safer side, a clear understanding of the responsibility of nurses is crucial as it assists in escaping liability in case of patient injury, where the stipulated intervention procedures have been administered. By observing and practicing the six rights of administration, medication errors are poised to reduce significantly. Having a responsible health care workforce can go a long way to improving the health of many patients and ensuring their safety. References Cima, L., Clarke, S., & Joint Commission Resources, Inc. (2012). The nurse's role in medication safety. Oakbrook Terrace, Ill: Joint Commission Resources. Sherwood, G., & Barnsteiner, J. H. (2012). Quality and safety in nursing: A competency approach to improving outcomes. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell. Read More