...Reducing Medication Errors In Hospitals Patient centered care and patient safety are the most important roles in nursing. “Serious medication errors are common in hospitals and often occur during order transcription or administration of medication” (Poon et al., 2010. p. 1). According to Seibert (2014), medication errors and related deaths cost the health care system billions of dollars yearly and that at least one error a day happens in all hospitals. “An estimated 450,000 adverse drug events medication errors that result in patient harm occur annually, approximately 25% of which are preventable” (Seibert, 2014. p. 1). One important aspect of nursing is drug administration. It is a multidisciplinary task including doctors, pharmacist...
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... In this paper this author will critically analyze a nursing research conducted on methodological and ethical challenges in investigating the safety of medication administration. The paper will focus on problem statement, purpose and research question, literature review and examine the conceptual and theoretical framework of the study. Problem Statement The problem statement signifies the importance of the research to the profession it serves in this case the nursing profession. The problem statement identifies the specific gap in the knowledge needed for practice (Burn, Grove 2010). The research clinical problem was identified as safety of medication administration. What was not known was the methodological and ethical challenges faced by a researcher who attempted to conduct the research on this issue. The research significance was supported by position statement from the World Health Organization and the Department of Health noting the increase prevalence of research into patient safety and the methodical approaches used in research regarding patient’s safety, there were also previous studies that investigating e critical care nurses’ views on safety of medication administration. Purpose and Research Question The purpose of the study was to highlight some of the methodological and ethical challenges that the researcher faced when conducting a study of the safety of medication administration (Mansour, M 2011). There were two focused research question...
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...care and is crucial as the role of the nurse is ever expanding (Banning, 2005). This essay will demonstrate that as a student nurse, the author has gained the necessary skills to conduct an evidence-based literature search and review and implement that knowledge into practice. Starting with a brief discussion on EBN it will go on to identify a suitable research question. During a placement on a medical ward the author noticed that nurses experienced many interruptions whilst conducting medication rounds and this review will consider ways to minimise interruptions and thus improve patient safety. Using the PICO acronym a suitable research question was formulated, ‘do interruptions during medication rounds increase the drugs administration errors made by nurses?’ A short description of the literature search is given and a summary of findings is presented in tabular form. Five original articles were selected and one chosen to critically appraise (see appendix 2). The rest of the essay will focus on reviewing the five articles. It will furthermore demonstrate the link between interruptions during drug rounds and patient and nurse safety, consider the implications of the studies for nursing practice and include the nurse’s perspective of these interruptions. Dale (2005) defines EBP as ‘the nurse making conscious judgements...
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...Medication Safety Patient safety is the first priority concern for leadership in all health care organizations. The medication delivery process is the most common intervention in health care system. For that reason medication safety is considered the most challenging and complex process in improving patient care and safety during hospitalization. Medication-related errors are serious and occur at a rate of about one per patient per day (Allan, 1990). It is a harmful practice affecting patient’s health and life. Some of these errors may result in death or inefficiency of organs functions. In addition, medication errors may financially affect the health care organization due to long patient stay in the hospital for advanced treatment (Presto, 2004). This research paper will provide highlights on medication errors definition, importance of safety during medication process, factors contributing to medication errors and effective factors in preventing medication errors. Medication errors were defined as a fault in medication that may occur at any stage of the process in ordering or delivering medications (Bates, Boyle, Vliet, Scheider & Leape, 1995), either an injury occurred or the potential for injury was present (Bates et al, 1999). These errors could occur in dosing error, which is common (Lesar, Briceland & Stein, 1997), or wrong route, or wrong time, or error in medicine rate and omission error (O’Shea, 1998). Also there are some situations such as missing a dose of...
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...become widely available to the public including prenatal screening of the fetus in utero to screening adults for genetic disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and breast cancer. Share your thoughts on the legal, ethical, and social implications that may be related to genetic screening. How would you educate your patient that is considering having genetic screening? Week 2: Question 1= Choose an FDA-approved prescription medication and discuss the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the medication, including any differences that would be expected based on the patient's age, a condition of pregnancy, or lactation. Address any adverse effects the medication may have based on age, pregnancy, or lactation. Question 2= Active acquired immunity can be achieved through the use of childhood immunizations. Many parents voice concerns regarding the safety of vaccinations. What is your opinion on the current use of vaccinations? How would you educate parents regarding the safety and effectiveness of vaccinations? Defend your answers with evidence-based research. Week 3: Question 1= Share a case study of an electrolyte imbalance from your practice or from the...
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...A study entitled, “A Controlled Trial of Smart Infusion Pumps to Improve Medication Safety in Critically Ill Patients” was completed (Rothschild et al., 2005). The authors’ purpose was to “assess the impact of smart pumps with integrated decision support software on the incidence and nature of medication errors and adverse drug events” (Rothschild et al., 2005). The study was conducted in 2002 at a large tertiary care medical center in Boston, Massachusetts. More specifically, the study focused on patients who had been admitted to two cardiac intensive care units and two cardiac step-down units. Many medical centers are transitioning to use of smart pumps, in hopes of reducing medication errors and adverse drug events. Summary The goal...
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...Bulletin relating to the IWU Honesty/Cheating Policy. By affixing this statement to the title page of my paper, I certify that I have not cheated or plagiarized in the process of completing this assignment. If it is found that cheating and/or plagiarism did take place in the writing of this paper, I understand the possible consequences of the act/s, which could include expulsion from Indiana Wesleyan University. Thesis The health care industry each years spends millions in medication errors that could be prevented. By implementing a data entry system that would allow access by medical professionals and pharmacies to collaborate and reduce the chance of medication errors dramatically. The data systems are pricy but when compared to the cost of medication errors and loss of lives it saves most medical establishments money. Annotated Bibliography The need for data entry systems to reduce medical errors Rinda, J. (2012). integration helps clinicians reduce medication errors. Health Management Technology , 33 (10), 12-13. With the risks of medication errors endangering lives, the technology has been gearing towards linking smart infusion pumps with health information platforms. Electronic health records have already been developed and are currently being used in some areas. This can lead to reductions in health care costs and increase in workflow. The medication errors could result in 400,000 preventable injuries each year. 1.5 million errors occur in the U.S. each...
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...Abstract Patient safety and Medical errors are one of the major concerns of healthcare industry. Our group decided to throw more light on the present situation of this issue. In this paper we have given a clear picture about the types of errors, how these errors occur and towards the end we have discussed on how to prevent these errors. The implementation of the actions to prevent errors discussed in our paper will help in improving and reducing them. In doing so, we can be leaders in an effort to provide the best care possible to all Americans. We have also discussed about the importance of patient safety. Reducing errors and improving how we respond to error is but a subset of the all-important issue of quality of care. TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………... 5 Regulatory Authority……………………………………………………………………. 5 Patient safety ……………………………………………………………………………. 6 Medical Errors ………………………………………………………………………….. 7 Why medical errors occur? .............................................................................................. 8 When errors are not reported ………………………………………………………….. 8 Types of Medical Errors ………………………………………………………………… 9 Sentinel Events ……………………………………………………………………….. 9 Diagnosis or evaluation ………………………………………………………………. 9 Medical decision-making …………………………………………………………… 10 Treatment and medication …………………………………….…………………..… 10 Dispensing ……………………………………………………………………………11 Procedural complications...
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...The research conducted in this study focuses on how medication errors and how they are caused by doctors not being educated and trained in medical colleges about the administration and prescribing of medicine. The other problem shown in this article is that colleges within the United Kingdom are showing a lack of these special educational studies in medicine. The problem of the study is very important to Administrators because patient safety is one of the main priorities in any health care facility. Administrator overlook the progression of patient care and by seeing this study about medication errors, this should grab their attention. By knowing that doctors are not properly prescribing medications to patients, administration can take a deeper look into their faculties and makes sure all professional health care providers are up to date and fully trained in the process of prescribing medicine. The purpose of this study is to bring strong insight in the reader. Also, readers must realize that medication error dangerous and that they can happen anywhere. Not all doctors have the full education they need in prescribing medication to them. The research deals mostly on the research of the lack of education and training in medical colleges and how it influences poor medication errors. After reviewing the study, the main research question would be what causes medication errors and how can it be fixed? There are more than one hypotheses of this study. After reviewing the possible...
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...(GlaxoSmithKline to Plead Guilty and Pay $3 Billion to Resolve Fraud Allegations and Failure to Report Safety Data, 2012), in 2012 pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline, LLC (GSK) plead guilty to fraud allegations and failure to report safety data, and agreed to pay $3 billion to settle civil and criminal liabilities. GSK was heavily promoting well known drugs for uses other than what they were intended, and approved for by the FDA. These promotions for non-intended uses were being made through back channels, such as directly to physicians through sales representatives, speakers at sponsored events, as well as advertising in medical journals. GSK had been circumventing the approval process to increase sales of drugs such as Paxil, and Wellbutrin, both anti-depressants. The company had neglected to provide information to the FDA regarding specific findings in research done after the drugs had gone to market. In one medical journal, GSK had published a misleading article that was contrary to actual findings. The misleading claims of GSK to healthcare providers regarding the effectiveness of specific drugs have had far reaching affects, of which cannot be immediately determined. Several of the medications are well known and branded for anti-depressants, and diabetes. According to the US Department of Justice release, GSK had made unsubstantiated claims that the diabetes medication had a "positive cholesterol profile". In fact GSK had no documentation to support the claim. It also...
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...features of an Electronic Health Record (EHR). CPOE’s can improve a patient’s safety, patient quality of care and physician’s efficiency. The implementation of CPOE’s in healthcare facilities have been recommended by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the National Quality Forum. CPOE - Computerized Provider Order Entry Computerized Provider Order Entry or CPOE is a computer application that accepts physician’s orders electronically and replaces handwritten orders and prescriptions. It is considered one of the key features of an Electronic Health Record (EHR). CPOE’s can improve a patient’s safety, patient quality of care and physician’s efficiency. “CPOE is recommended by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the National Quality Forum as one of the 30 “Safe Practices for Better Healthcare.” The Leapfrog Group also recommends CPOE implementation as one of its first three recommended “leaps” for improving patient safety” (Computerized Provider Entry, p1p7). There are many benefits that CPOE’s provide such as eliminating problems with handwriting, reducing storage space, since they have taken the place of traditional paper-based charts, reducing medication errors, faster transmission of prescriptions to the pharmacy. The CPOE also offers alerts and decision making benefits to the physician. It can compare a prescribed medication to a patient’s allergy list and other medications that the patient is currently taking. If the CPOE system finds anything wrong...
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...care worker and, and health care stakeholders. It is called the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. The government provided the funding for the office to create initiatives in regards to safety in healthcare and improvement in the quality of healthcare in Australia. According to the article written by Sophie Scott, the Productivity Commission reported an increase in serious medical errors made in hospitals in Australia from 87-107 cases. However, despite of the report there is a decrease of serious adverse events from 2007-2012. There...
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...Nurses are the fine line between medication administration errors and medication administration error prevention. Nurses should be required to go above and beyond to avoid medication errors for the safety of the patient. This paper includes studies on the nurses knowledge, adherence and opinions on two-nurse double-check method for medication administration. The research concludes the evidence proved to be insignificant. Keywords: time management, medication errors, patient safety, double-check medication administration THE LINK BETWEEN INDEPENDENT DOUBLE CHECK AND PATIENT SAFETY Introduction The risk of medication errors will always exist, despite the many methods of preventing medication administration errors. The steps of the medication administration process are vital for patient safety. Unfortunately due to the lack of nurses in hospitals, nurses tend to skip steps of safe medication administration because of patient load and the time required to perform the steps. Are double checks essential in preventing medication errors? A diabetic patient on the medical-surgical floor needs the...
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...patients. For the purpose of this paper, I believe Quality and safety, and community health is important to all heath care administrators. Quality and Safety When one is considered to be an employer, it is the responsibility of the individual or individuals to protect their employees from safety hazards and promote optimal health. Health and safety laws have been passed to ensure the safety of workers and protect them from hazards in the workplace. (OSHA, 2012)The Occupational Safety and Health Act mandate and require employers to provide a workplace that is free of hazards and to cooperate with occupational safety and health standards. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration were created by Congress to enforce specific standards and to provide information on safety and health, training and assistance to employers and workers. (OSHA, 2012) OSHA enables workers to understand and clarify their right. If a problem is present, it is up to the employee to take proper precaution and notify the organization so that corrections can take place. As an employer, it is important to act promptly so that the matter is handled promptly and efficiently. There are many ways an individual can report an unhealthy work environment. It is imperative to research and document ways to lessen work place injury and violence. Epidemiologic techniques can lessen and act as a vital role and perhaps reduce the amount of instances pertaining to health standards and safety in the work place. (Hricko...
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...Business Research Report Benefits of an Electronic Health Record Assessment Code: RWT1 Student Name: Student ID: Date: Mentor Name: Table of Contents Executive Summary 3 Introduction 5 Research Findings 5 Opportunity for Financial Incentives 5 Improved Quality of Patient Care 6 Increased Productivity and Efficiency 7 Recommendations 8 Conclusion 9 References 11 Executive Summary The benefits of successfully implementing an electronic health record are both vital to the future of our business as well as rewarding. The purpose of this report is to clearly demonstrate the need for implementation of an electronic health record and provide explanation of the benefits available to us with successful implementation. . The three main benefits I will be presenting research on are the financial benefits of an electronic health record, the ability to provide better quality patient care and the opportunity to increase productivity and efficiency through implementing an electronic health record. There are significant financial incentives for implementing an electronic health record and meeting Medicare and Medicaid’s requirements for meaningful use. Eligible providers can earn up to $44,000 through the Medicare EHR Incentive Program and up to $63,750 through the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program. There are three stages involved in meeting meaningful use the first stage consists of data capture and sharing, the second involves advanced clinical...
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