Nurses are known to be great multitaskers, but their multitasking skills can also lead to medication administration errors. Previous documentations have shown that while multitasking, distractions and interruptions have been a main cause for nurses to perform a medication administration error (MAEs). MAEs are to be taken very seriously. MAEs can cause harm to the patients and maybe even lead to lifelong injuries or even death (Rassin, Kanti, & Silner, 2005; Treiber & Jones, 2010). Researchers are trying to put together a plan that would be implemented in facilities to help reduce MAEs. A presentation was brought upon at a hospital in Atlanta, Georgia to help with MAEs. Nurses could put into practice the use of a smock or sash while the
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The Watson’s (2005a) Caritas Model was used in this research study. This study involved many strategies recommended by Watson to decrease nurse distraction and interruption during the medication administration process. Besides the use of the sashes, they also used a sign stating that they should not be interrupted or distracted at that time. Nurses also had to take the time to concentrate and implement the use of the seven “rights” of medication administration (right patient, right drug, right dose, right time, right route, right reason & right documentation). The study also showed that the facilities would also implement education to the staff, patients and families so that they would all have an understanding of the importance of medication administration and so that they would all be on the same …show more content…
The unit selected for the specific study had 38 of the 98 beds. The unit was fully staffed with 26 RNs, eight LPNs, 12 CNAs, five secretaries and six monitor techs. All of the personnel of that unit were oriented of the study that would be implemented and the other departments in the hospital were all notified as well (Polit & Beck, 2012). The research study was implemented from April 25th to June 13th, 2010. Databases were implanted to collect all of the data needed. The data gathered by the study did not show an improvement in MAEs. The study showed that some changes were made for example rather than administering medication to the wrong patient, it would be the wrong dose. The study also showed that in time the nurses got used to using the bright colored sash, and the sash no longer served as a symbol to not interrupt or distract the nurse while wearing the sash. When asked, the nurses did state that the study did help them focus better while performing medication administration. They liked the fact that there were no distraction or interruption at the time of medication administration. Nurses will continue to implement safety when handling medications. The research study shows that further evaluations must be implemented to finally come to terms in the reduction of
The Watson’s (2005a) Caritas Model was used in this research study. This study involved many strategies recommended by Watson to decrease nurse distraction and interruption during the medication administration process. Besides the use of the sashes, they also used a sign stating that they should not be interrupted or distracted at that time. Nurses also had to take the time to concentrate and implement the use of the seven “rights” of medication administration (right patient, right drug, right dose, right time, right route, right reason & right documentation). The study also showed that the facilities would also implement education to the staff, patients and families so that they would all have an understanding of the importance of medication administration and so that they would all be on the same …show more content…
The unit selected for the specific study had 38 of the 98 beds. The unit was fully staffed with 26 RNs, eight LPNs, 12 CNAs, five secretaries and six monitor techs. All of the personnel of that unit were oriented of the study that would be implemented and the other departments in the hospital were all notified as well (Polit & Beck, 2012). The research study was implemented from April 25th to June 13th, 2010. Databases were implanted to collect all of the data needed. The data gathered by the study did not show an improvement in MAEs. The study showed that some changes were made for example rather than administering medication to the wrong patient, it would be the wrong dose. The study also showed that in time the nurses got used to using the bright colored sash, and the sash no longer served as a symbol to not interrupt or distract the nurse while wearing the sash. When asked, the nurses did state that the study did help them focus better while performing medication administration. They liked the fact that there were no distraction or interruption at the time of medication administration. Nurses will continue to implement safety when handling medications. The research study shows that further evaluations must be implemented to finally come to terms in the reduction of