Medication administration safety is crucial to patient safety, the top priority in healthcare settings. Medication mistakes can negatively affect patients’ quality of life and overall health (Nishimura, 2022). This paper aims to analyze a medication administration safety risk in a healthcare setting, explore evidence-based patient safety solutions, discuss the function of baccalaureate nurses in care coordination and safety promotion, identify stakeholders driving safety enhancements, and effectively communicate the findings.
Contributing Factors to Patient-Safety Risks
Errors in medication delivery pose a serious threat to patient safety in healthcare settings. These risks are exacerbated by the inadequate education and training received by medical professionals, notably nurses. A lack of understanding of drug protocols leads to erroneous dosages, bad administration routes, and timing blunders (Albalawi et al., 2020). Healthcare practitioners, especially nurses, need thorough training in medication administration procedures to reduce these hazards. Poor communication between medical staff members is also a significant risk factor for patient safety during medication administration (Burgener, 2020). Miscommunication can result in medicine administration mistakes, particularly during shift changes or handoffs. In order to guarantee that patients receive the proper medications at the appropriate times, clear and straightforward communication is essential. Healthcare professionals must prioritize excellent communication and embrace technological support solutions to improve medication administration safety to address these concerns.
Another root cause of medication errors is the absence of technological support systems, which might result in mistakes because patient data is out-of-date or lacking. Risks associated with medicine administration are also made worse by the healthcare experts’ sporadic communication (Sutton et al., 2020). Incorrect dosages or forgotten drugs can result from inaccurate transfer of crucial patient information during shift changes. Pharmaceutical administration practices must be standardized in order to lower these risks. It is essential to create protocols that outline the proper manner to deliver pharmaceuticals and emphasise training and education for healthcare personnel to maintain safe pharmaceutical practices. Healthcare organizations can dramatically improve patient safety during drug administration and lower the incidence of pharmaceutical errors by addressing these problems and applying technology-supported solutions.
Evidence-Based Approaches to Improve Patient Safety
Patient safety is still paramount in healthcare, particularly while giving medications. Using evidence-based techniques to reduce medication mistakes and improve patient well-being is essential. A key strategy in this effort is deploying computerized physician order entry (CPOE) systems. CPOE systems reduce the possibility of medicine dosages being incorrectly understood due to poor handwriting by replacing handwritten prescriptions with digital orders (Dhamanti et al., 2021). These systems also do real-time assessments for drug interactions, allergies, and optimal dosing, greatly lowering the possibility of mistakes. By reducing the risks connected with human processes, such technology solutions highlight the dedication to patient safety.
Additionally, barcode scanning technology has been a successful way to improve the security of medicine administration. Nurses may confirm the “five rights” of medicine administration: right patient, correct medication, right dose, right route, and right time by scanning the barcodes on the patient’s wristband and the medication container (Mulac et al., 2021). With this method, there is less likelihood of giving the wrong drug to a patient in addition to wrong-dose errors being prevented. By using technology to authenticate the administration of medications, barcode scanning devices add an added degree of security while reducing human mistakes.
The standardization of dosing directions and pharmaceutical labelling is another evidence-based strategy. Administration errors may result from incorrect dosing instructions and confusing labelling. Standardized labels with precise instructions and prominently displayed key information can increase nurses’ comprehension of drugs, lowering the possibility of mistakes. Patients are further empowered to participate in their care actively and double-check the accuracy of drug administration when they receive thorough education about their medications, including dosages, administration methods, and any side effects (Chua et al., 2019). By lowering the frequency of adverse events and medication-related problems, these evidence-based practices improve patient safety while helping healthcare facilities save money. Healthcare organizations may establish a safer environment for drug administration and support better patient outcomes by utilizing technology, standardizing procedures, and integrating patients in the process.
The Role of Nurses in Patient Care Coordination to Enhance Patient Safety
Nurses are essential in coordinating patient care to improve patient safety, especially when administering medications. They serve as a link between patients, doctors, and other healthcare professionals as front-line caretakers. Nurses ensure accurate pharmaceutical administration by confirming orders, checking for allergies or other contraindications, and successfully coordinating with pharmacists and doctors. They serve as patient advocates, addressing worries and answering questions about medications. Additionally, nurses participate in interdisciplinary teams, contributing their knowledge and suggestions to create standardized procedures that reduce prescription errors (Vaismoradi et al., 2020). Nurses promote open communication, reporting near-misses, and ongoing improvement by promoting a safety culture. They are vigilant about following evidence-based procedures, educating patients, and working with stakeholders to facilitate smooth care transitions, lower risks, and improve patient outcomes when administering medications.
Participation of Stakeholders in Safety and Quality Improvement
Stakeholders are essential in advancing safety and quality improvement initiatives in healthcare settings. Collaboration across various stakeholders, including nurses, doctors, administrators, pharmacists, and patients, is crucial to achieve comprehensive and long-lasting improvements. As primary caregivers, nurses are essential participants in the improvement of safety. They offer vital information for recognizing potential dangers and formulating workable solutions. This is because of their insights into regular patient encounters and practical experience with care delivery (Smith et al., 2020). Conversely, doctors bring their medical knowledge to the table and ensure that interventions follow best practices and clinical guidelines.
Administrators and healthcare executives play a crucial role in promoting a safety culture and allocating funds for projects to enhance patient care. They foster an environment where reporting mistakes and near misses is encouraged rather than penalized by making safety a primary company value. In order to ensure precise dosages, minimal drug interactions, and effective administration techniques, pharmacists offer their experience in medication management (Nishimura, 2022). They work with nurses to achieve this. Equally important is involving patients as stakeholders. Patients can provide distinct viewpoints on their experiences receiving care, highlighting any potential communication or informational gaps and patient-centeredness issues. Diverse stakeholders’ active involvement promotes a multifaceted approach to safety and quality, addressing issues from various perspectives and promoting comprehensive advancements in healthcare delivery.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the safety of medicine administration is a crucial component of patient care, and evidence-based approaches are essential to reducing risks and enhancing patient outcomes. Driving safety improvements requires the cooperation of all parties involved in healthcare, including nurses, doctors, administrators, pharmacists, and patients. As key players in the coordination of patient care, nurses guarantee appropriate medication administration, support a culture of safety, and participate in interdisciplinary teams. Healthcare institutions can promote a safer environment for medication delivery by embracing technological solutions, standardizing procedures, and involving patients in their care. The commitment to evidence-based strategies and the active involvement of numerous stakeholders will be crucial in sustaining and enhancing patient safety and quality improvement projects as healthcare continues to change.
References
Albalawi, A., Kidd, L., & Cowey, E. (2020). Factors contributing to the patient safety culture in Saudi Arabia: A systematic review. BMJ Open, 10(10), e037875. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037875
Lambrinou, E., Hansen, T. B., & Beulens, J. W. (2019). Lifestyle factors, self-management and patient empowerment in diabetes care. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, 26(2_suppl), 55-63. https://doi.org/10.1177/2047487319885455
Pan, N., Luo, Y. Y., & Duan, Q. X. (2022). The influence of PDCA cycle management mode on nurses’ enthusiasm, efficiency, and teamwork ability. BioMed Research International, 2022, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/9352735
Saunders, H., Gallagher‐Ford, L., Kvist, T., & Vehviläinen‐Julkunen, K. (2019). Practising healthcare professionals’ evidence‐based practice competencies: An overview of systematic reviews. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 16(3), 176-185. https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12363
Walton, V., Hogden, A., Long, J. C., Johnson, J. K., & Greenfield, D. (2019). <p>How do interprofessional healthcare teams perceive the benefits and challenges of interdisciplinary ward Rounds</p>. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 12, 1023–1032. https://doi.org/10.2147/jmdh.s226330
Zargar, A. H., Kalra, S., K M., P. K., Murthy, S., Negalur, V., Rajput, R., Rastogi, A., Saboo, B., Sharma, S. K., Sahay, R., Aravind, S., Shaikh, S., Tiwaskar, M., Ingole, S., & Kamble, S. (2022). Rising cost of insulin: A deterrent to compliance in patients with diabetes mellitus. Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews, 16(8), 102528. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsx.2022.102528
Zhao, M., Li, H., Wang, J., Chu, L., Huang, L., & Li, H. (2023). The effectiveness of motivation‐guided <scp>PDCA</scp> cycle nursing for self‐management ability and outcomes of patients with gestational diabetes mellitus. Nursing Open, 10(9), 6509–6516. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.1903
write