Avoiding Medication Errors - Essay Example

Right Medication. Check the MD order and check it against the medication label. If you can't read it...ASK for help...call the MD 2.   Right Dose. Check the MD order and the medication label. If you aren't familiar with the medication, look it up. Does this dose make sense for your patient? 3.   Right Time. Check the MD order and check the medication label. Check the time. Give the medication at the time prescribed. 4.  Right Route. Check the MD order and check the medication label. Make sure the route is accessible. If it's p.o., can the patient swallow meds? If not, can it be crushed? Is the IV site appropriate? Can it be given via a peripheral line or does it need to be a central line, and vice versa? 5.   Right Patient. Check the MD order and check the medication label. Now check the patient. Can you identify this patient? Don't assume you know who the patient is, and NEVER go by room and bed number alone. Simple ways to ensure your patient's identity are to ask him for his name, date of birth, and MD name. 6.   Follow any manufacturer’s instructions. Follow your facility's protocols. 7.   Observe the patient taking oral meds to be sure he has swallowed them. 8.   Observe the patient for how well the medication and the procedure (especially if invasive such as an injection) are tolerated. 9.   DOCUMENT medication, dose, time, route, and immediate response. 10.   Notify the MD immediately of any adverse situations, including errors.     2.) The Queensland Health Department is committed to improving the quality and safety of patient care and it is hoped that these guidelines will assist healthcare workers to achieve a safer health service delivery environment. Healthcare workers are often faced with the dilemma of achieving a balance between maintaining a safe environment for patients, residents, staff, and others and preventing another person from inflicting physical or psychological harm to themselves or others. At times, restraint appears to be the only option. In such circumstances, these guidelines will provide a step-by-step approach to assist clinicians in their decision-making about whether to apply a restraining device. These guidelines will be helpful to clinicians across all sectors of healthcare delivery.

The guidelines have been developed by health care professionals in the fields of emergency medicine, mental health, aged care, education, and hospital administration, and provide advice on the relevant legislative schemes, assessment, and monitoring as well as documentation. The guidelines identify relevant legislation of which healthcare providers should be aware when making decisions about the use of restraint, including The Criminal Code Act 1899, Powers of Attorney Act 1998, Guardianship and Administration Act 2000, Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995, and the Mental Health Act 2000.

These guidelines provide practical advice for healthcare providers in hospital and residential settings. They identify a nine-step process for assessing the need for restraint, as well as the importance of determining the type of behavior to be modified, prevented, or managed so that the most appropriate strategy can be implemented. Recommendations for minimum standards of documentation are included, as well as advice on monitoring, evaluation, and choice of restraint. The guidelines have been developed with the assistance of clinicians working in acute, aged care, and mental health areas, as well as input from State and Commonwealth agencies and non-government organizations. Examples of the application of these competency standards and the relevant sections of the Scope of practice framework for nurses and midwives, to the practice will be available on the Queensland Nursing Council’s website www.qnc.qld. In assuming additional responsibilities for the initiation, administration, and supply of medications, it must be understood that a nurse is not relieved of his/her legal responsibility or accountability for his/her practice.
Like duty of care, accountability for one’s actions cannot be delegated. Regardless of the setting, registered nurses are legally bound to provide the most reasonable or appropriate care possible for their clients. It is therefore essential that registered nurses be responsible for maintaining their competency to practice in their chosen setting at the highest possible standard.      Flow chart:   -Medication error -Investigation -Relieved from work -Litigation -if not guilty, the nurse can continue work -if found guilty, the nurse is punished depending on the gravity of the case: - Revocation of license - Permanent termination from a job - Penalised for the damage done - Could go to jail Read More