MEDICATION ERRORS, I SAID NO.

Improve the authenticity of patient identification. Use at least Two patient identifiers when giving medications, providing care,treatment or services. Use “PATIENT NAME AND DATE OF BIRTH”. ( Don’t use room number)

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1.Identify the look alike and sound alike medications used in your hospital, and take appropriate actions to prevent medication errors. Prevent errors involving the interchange of these medications.

2. Label all medications containers, label the syringes, medication cups.Other solutions in procedural settings or in preoperative treatment areas.

3. Do not see it as a waist of time.It saves time and lives. Hand off the narcotic keys and narcotic medications to the next nurse according to your facility policy and procedures.

4. Accurate Medication reconciliation should be done upon admission ,when there are changes in treatment plans, and upon discharge. When in doubt ask questions. Follow your facility policy and procedures.

Complete incident reports send to your

INCIDENT REPORTS:

Complete incident reports and send to the following:

Nurse manager-

Risk management Department,and

Nursing Supervisor if you make an actual medication error.Also on a “Near Miss” that shows a tragic situation could have happened. This is a wake up that we should all be aware of. Medications must be well secured at all times. They should never be left unattended at the patient bedside, on counter top.Should not be left at the bedside for self administration by the patient. All multiple purpose medications must be dated and signed. Discard after 28DAYS. Patients medications from home must be inspected by your facility pharmacy and approved before giving the medication to your patients.

WHAT IS MEDICATION ERROR?.

It is a preventable event that can cause or lead to harm or death of someone due to inappropriate use of the medication by health care professionals.

Know the eight rights of medication administration. Repeat the eight rights before medication administration.

LIST OF MEDICATIONS ERRORS.

Prescription errors: Wrong medication, dosage, quantity, route,concentration or illegal prescription.

Unauthorized use: Wrong patient.

Omission error:Patient did not refuse but you the nurse failed to give it to the patient.

Wrong time,and dose preparation.

Giving of expired drugs.

Improper drug storage.

Noncompliance Issues: that is patient refusal of medication administration must be reported. The doctor needs to know the appropriate behavior of patient.

Adverse drug reactions should be reported.