The Prevention of Medication Errors: A Collaborative Approach Medication administration errors are continuously increasing in acute care settings, resulting in severe injury and in some cases, even patient death. According to Seibert, Maddox, Flynn and Williams (2014), at least one medication administration error (MAE) occurs per day per hospitalized patient. But who is really responsible for these errors? Since the nurse is considered the last link in the drug therapy chain prior to reaching the patient-traditionally, nurses have been blamed for MAE’s (Keers, Williams, Cooke, &Ashcroft, 2013, p.1046). In opposition, Manias, Williams and Liew (2012), state that MAE’s can transpire at any stage of the medication administration process,
…show more content…
Lack of medication knowledge consists of calculation errors in dosage, compatibility, dilution ratios and inaccurate rates of administration in intravenous bolus injections (Keers et al., 2013, p.1061).
Miscommunication
Keers et al. (2013) stated that lack of communication within the healthcare team is a prominent cause of administration error. Lapse in communication includes failure to relay crucial information regarding the patient to not only nurse colleagues, but to physicians as well. Errors in documentation have also contributed to MAE’s. For example, unclear or messy written communication, such as physician orders can result in administration error or inaccurate dispensing by pharmacy (Keers et al., 2013, p. 1062).
Pharmacological Logistics According to Keers et al. (2013), the pharmacy department was responsible for its share of contributing factors to MAE’s. Some of the contributing factors mentioned included: delayed deliveries of medications to the unit, incorrect dispensing or stocking, and the misidentification or misinterpretation of prescriptions by the pharmacist (Keers et al., 2013, p. …show more content…
(2014), barcode assisted medication administration (BCMA) systems and electronic medication administration records (eMARS) are the most commonly implemented technology in the acute care setting. The process includes computerized monitoring where mobile computers with scanners are provided. The version of software requires that all medications have a barcode and patient’s wristbands have a barcode that is individualized and used for identification. Electronic scanning is utilized to interpret data from a medication or a patient; the software then validates the medication against patient information and the updated eMAR. The software provides medication administration accuracy by prompting warnings that read: medications not on current eMAR, medication for different patient, allergy alerts, lab values and parameters for administration. These prompts alert the nurse prior to the administration of the medication, thus preventing MAE’s if one is to occur (Seibert et al., 2014, p. 210-212). Seibert et al. (2014) stated that BCMA and eMAR is the most effective in intercepting and preventing errors from reaching the patient. Similarly, Keers et al. (2013) mentioned that BCMA has been associated with a reduction in
Lack of medication knowledge consists of calculation errors in dosage, compatibility, dilution ratios and inaccurate rates of administration in intravenous bolus injections (Keers et al., 2013, p.1061).
Miscommunication
Keers et al. (2013) stated that lack of communication within the healthcare team is a prominent cause of administration error. Lapse in communication includes failure to relay crucial information regarding the patient to not only nurse colleagues, but to physicians as well. Errors in documentation have also contributed to MAE’s. For example, unclear or messy written communication, such as physician orders can result in administration error or inaccurate dispensing by pharmacy (Keers et al., 2013, p. 1062).
Pharmacological Logistics According to Keers et al. (2013), the pharmacy department was responsible for its share of contributing factors to MAE’s. Some of the contributing factors mentioned included: delayed deliveries of medications to the unit, incorrect dispensing or stocking, and the misidentification or misinterpretation of prescriptions by the pharmacist (Keers et al., 2013, p. …show more content…
(2014), barcode assisted medication administration (BCMA) systems and electronic medication administration records (eMARS) are the most commonly implemented technology in the acute care setting. The process includes computerized monitoring where mobile computers with scanners are provided. The version of software requires that all medications have a barcode and patient’s wristbands have a barcode that is individualized and used for identification. Electronic scanning is utilized to interpret data from a medication or a patient; the software then validates the medication against patient information and the updated eMAR. The software provides medication administration accuracy by prompting warnings that read: medications not on current eMAR, medication for different patient, allergy alerts, lab values and parameters for administration. These prompts alert the nurse prior to the administration of the medication, thus preventing MAE’s if one is to occur (Seibert et al., 2014, p. 210-212). Seibert et al. (2014) stated that BCMA and eMAR is the most effective in intercepting and preventing errors from reaching the patient. Similarly, Keers et al. (2013) mentioned that BCMA has been associated with a reduction in