Introduction
Medication administration is a crucial element of every healthcare provider’s work. However, it can be challenging to achieve perfection. Errors are more common now than ever since many nurses work double shifts. Errors in the administration of pharmaceuticals are a kind of medication-related mistake. There are three main types of these mistakes: those made by the system itself, those made by humans, and those caused by inexact timing. Errors in the logical operation of a system are known as system errors. Errors in dosing, administration, or calculation might cause these side effects. Lack of attention to detail, medicine non-adherence, and stock-checking oversight are all human input errors. Equipment failures and doctors’ instructions are only two examples of the timing problems that plague the system. Human factors such as a lack of knowledge, experience, and training; stress and time pressure; confusing or contradictory information; and an inability to deal with the workload owing to understaffing are the primary reasons for pharmaceutical mistakes (World Health Organization, 2016). Nausea, vomiting, headache, stomach pain, diarrhea, difficulty sleeping (insomnia), high heart rate (tachycardia), irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), and dark urine are all symptoms of a prescription mistake. However, nurses and other healthcare providers must be educated on spotting, avoiding, and preventing medical errors (Ofosu & Jarrett, 2015). This article will examine medical administration, prescription errors, and approaches to assist nurses in reducing these types of mistakes.
Capstone Proposal
The picot question of the project: are nurses trained in efficient medical administration making fewer medical errors compared to nurses who are not trained in efficient medical administration at all times they serve in the hospital? The project’s title will be “Medication Administration Errors and Strategies to Reduce Nursing Errors.” For centuries, mistakes have been an inevitable part of political governance. It is essential to cut out on blunders whenever possible. This research aimed to determine the types of drug delivery mistakes that may occur and the best ways to avoid them.
Problems with the system or with the people administering the system are common in the medical field. Examples of system faults include giving the wrong medicine or dose, using the incorrect product name or administration method, or making mathematical errors in determining dosages (Carvalho et al., 2013; World Health Organization, 2016). Lack of attention to detail, medicine non-adherence, and stock-checking oversight are all human input errors.
Doctors, nurses, consultants, and pharmacists are all essential members of the healthcare management team. In this particular industry, well-trained professionals can reduce mistakes to a manageable level. Medication mistakes are surprisingly common in the healthcare industry, with studies showing that a sizable percentage of healthcare professionals and nurses are responsible for them (World Health Organization, 2016). Because they provide so many medicines, nurses need to be well-versed in their use. Educating nurses on how to spot pharmaceutical errors and implement uniform protocols to reduce the occurrence of such mistakes is essential.
Project Proposal Topic
This research set out to determine the types of medication administration mistakes that may occur and the best ways to avoid or reduce their occurrence. It is crucial to create a strategy to enhance medication administration understanding since most healthcare departments lack standardized training programs. Preventative measures, rather than technological solutions, should be prioritized. There is a wide variety of drug options, each with its unique mode of administration, dosage calculation method, mistake kinds, and potential consequences (Carvalho et al., 2013). There will be fewer pharmaceutical mistakes if staff employees are given the training and precautions they need to avoid making any. Nurses who have been adequately educated in the use of medical equipment, the proper method for calculating drug and dosage amounts, and the many steps involved in administering medicine are less likely to make mistakes. Incorrect medicine administration is the most prevalent cause of patient harm in healthcare facilities. The names of medications are often the source of misunderstanding between nurses and physicians, and unclear handwriting and poor communication can contribute to mistakes (World Health Organization, 2016).
Background
Medication is a cornerstone of care in hospitals and other medical settings. As a result of their efforts, patients’ conditions may be improved or even saved. However, ensuring the security of pharmaceuticals remains an urgent matter. Medication mistakes have been on the rise in recent years. Most people who take the wrong drugs have a significant adverse drug response that may cause death, disability, or hospitalization, according to Carvalho et al., 2013. Medication errors are often caused by a malfunctioning system or an individual’s carelessness. System errors may arise when the dose, route, or calculation is incorrect. Several groups have taken up the issue of drug safety, including the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, the International Society of Nurses in Critical Care, and the National Association of Boards of Nursing (Working to reduce medication errors, 2019). Training healthcare personnel to reduce medication mistakes is a crucial strategy for enhancing pharmaceutical safety.
Literature Review
Medication is given to people primarily to treat and prevent illness and to improve their health. Medication refers to any chemical or biological material utilized for therapeutic purposes. They are also used to help patients become healthier. Medications may treat, kill, alleviate pain, prevent disease, or modify cell function. Pharmacists and pharmacists supply most drugs purchased by the general population. They explain and educate patients about the drugs they provide. Medication administration is one aspect of patient safety that nurses are responsible for in hospitals and other medical institutions (World Health Organization, 2016). To ensure that medical medications are used appropriately, hospitals need nurses with the necessary skills to understand, interpret, and safely deliver them (Ofosu & Jarrett, 2015). This study aims to identify potential errors that may occur during medication administration and how these errors can be minimized or prevented.
Method of Searching Data
The researchers reviewed the existing literature using electronic and manual resources to find relevant studies. The CAB Abstracts and Google Scholar are two electronic tools available to researchers. Bibliographies, indices, abstracts, hand-selected sources, and articles pertinent to the issue are all examples of manual resources. The proper research was found using a combination of computer databases and traditional print resources. The phrases “medication error in medical administration” and “measures to minimize medical errors” were used to get relevant results. This work compiled data from various writers, journals, and newspapers. The selection of a particular paper depends on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. After reading each article, a decision was made about its suitability for the study.
Review of Literature
Drug interactions, incorrect doses, and other administration mistakes are potential complications that might arise when medications are administered to patients. Patients getting the wrong drugs or inappropriate doses are the primary sources of harm caused by medication administration errors. Errors in medication administration can result from several different things, such as a nurse’s inexperience or a mistake while preparing or administering the drug, a faulty machine, the wrong container being given to the patient, the nurse selecting the wrong medication, or the patient receiving medication that was not prescribed for them (World Health Organization, 2016). These issues are related to problems with medical staff’s mental and physical health, a lack of knowledge and motivation among healthcare workers to accomplish their jobs, and a failure to follow established processes.
Clinical, dispensing, documentation, and administrative errors are all possible types. The licensed and unlicensed nursing staff are all responsible for clinical errors. Dispensing errors occur while the drug is being prepared, leading to the wrong dose and limitations being applied. Both healthcare providers and other people engaged with the patient, such as the patient or family members, might make mistakes in the paperwork they create. Problems with administration might arise from giving the medication at the incorrect time, the improper dosage, or the incorrect location. Adopting protocols to guarantee that patients are prescribed the right drugs at the proper dosages is essential for preventing these mistakes. These policies must be drafted in style easily understood by all members of the healthcare team and other relevant experts. Additionally, hospitals should adopt these rules so that they may be routinely updated to reflect advances in medical technology and best practices. Identifying any additional drugs that may be administered to patients is essential. This information would guarantee that the correct meds are given to patients and would eliminate any room for error on the part of the medical personnel.
However, healthcare providers should be educated about medicine administration, the potential for mistakes, and error prevention to improve policy adherence. Only the medical staff dispensing the drugs to patients should undergo this training. Medical personnel should be trained in groups where everyone participates in the conversation to reduce the likelihood of misunderstandings and errors. Preparing, delivering, or providing liquid or solid medication to a patient physically requires an in-depth understanding of medications, dosing, doses, routes, and processes, all of which need training. Problems, such as incorrect diagnosis or treatment and other adverse drug reactions, may arise if the medicine is dispensed or administered incorrectly to a patient (Likic & Maxwell, 2009). Potentially fatal problems may arise as a result of this. Consequently, medical practitioners need proper education and training to prescribe their patients the correct drugs.
In addition, it is crucial to provide medical administrators with enough training to guarantee that all necessary precautions are taken while handling patients and that all medications are administered by their prescribed dosages (Medication errors training, 2020). Some drugs have strict temperature requirements that must be met to prevent harmful side effects. Standard operating procedures, emergency protocols, and the proper way to store and dispose of medicine are all topics in training for medical administrators. The medical staff is educated on stockpiling pharmaceuticals, operating machinery, dispensing medications to patients, adhering to regional regulations, and recording their actions in patient charts. In addition to learning how to communicate with and collaborate with patients, medical students, residents, nurses, and other healthcare team members, training should also include essential teamwork and collaboration skills. Medical personnel needs training and familiarity with dosing charts to determine the correct amount for each patient (Medication errors training, 2020: Carrie, 2022). Prevention-wise, it is ideal to have every nurse learn how to administer medications, what pharmaceuticals to use for what ailments, how to determine the appropriate dose, and how to operate medical equipment like an intravenous pump.
Medication administration is a fundamental skill having the potential to cause injury to a patient or lead to harm as a consequence of complications. Medication administration, monitoring, and quality control are all potential sources of mistakes. Both drug delivery and management workers should get sufficient training to lessen the likelihood of this kind of incident (Ofosu & Jarrett, 2015). Nursing personnel needs to be proficient in medicine dosage and administration. Everyone working there has to know what they are doing before they clock in, and they need to be monitored while they are working. For the same reason, keeping an eye on how medications are given is essential for preventing mistakes.
Results of Study
Inaccuracies in the dosing and administration of medications are well-documented as a significant issue in the healthcare system. The research showed several reasons for medical mistakes and that they may be avoided with the proper education and preparation. Confusion, lack of expertise, high volume, shortage of personnel, illegible handwriting, inexperienced staff, complex patient populations, inadequate monitoring, lack of policy enforcement, and medically complicated patients are all significant contributors to medication errors in hospitals. Medicine delivery, dose, or timing mistakes are still another potential source of trouble.
One of the most prevalent forms of medicine administration mistakes was discovered to be related to a lack of good communication and severe workloads (Ofosu & Jarrett, 2015). There is a risk of administering the incorrect medicine dosage to a patient if communication breaks down. Before all of the patients in a ward have been given the wrong medication, an inquiry must be conducted before the nurse or doctor notices their mistake. It causes more extended hospital stays, more difficulties after surgery, and more deaths. Adverse drug reactions may raise anxiety in patients, making them more likely to need more medical attention. It is not uncommon for healthcare providers to double-dose patients because they are too busy to remember that they have previously given them a specific prescription. A healthcare provider’s ability to detect the symptoms of a patient having an adverse response to medicine is crucial for preventing future complications. Furthermore, the literature analysis highlighted the importance of training and supervision in reducing medical mistakes. A well-educated workforce will be able to spot pharmaceutical administration errors as soon as they occur (Ofosu & Jarrett, 2015). A well-supervised nursing team is also essential since it allows for guidance and assistance in the event of medication errors. So that no mistakes are made, the nursing staff may take care of medicine administration.
Smart Objectives
Evidence from the reviewed literature shows that workplace characteristics may significantly affect drug administration mistakes in healthcare settings. A hospital’s ability to reduce the number of medication mistakes depends on the competence and oversight of its nursing staff (Ofosu & Jarrett, 2015). For healthcare providers to effectively guide and assist patients through the medication administration process, they must have access to tools like policies and procedures. Staff members’ communication skills are also crucial for reducing the adverse effects of drug mistakes (World Health Organization, 2016). The literature research has also shown the need for careful nursing supervision to help nurses when they make medication errors. If these measures are taken, healthcare facilities will be more welcoming for nurses and patients.
Strategies
All healthcare workers, regardless of their position or experience level, must undergo intensive training before they may begin offering services to patients. Daily teaching of sufficient quality is also required. Instructing patients may be done by anybody in the healthcare team, from nurses to pharmacists to physicians. The hospital’s drugs, equipment, and shift schedules are just some of the aspects of healthcare that medical administrators need to know about. The correct amount of training on shift scheduling, drug use, and other issues may help prevent errors. Everyone who works in a hospital has to be familiar with the rules regarding the administration of medications and the dosages that should be given to patients (Manouchehr Saljoughian Department of Pharmacy Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Berkeley, California, 2020). More blunders might be avoided with the use of pharmaceutical charts. These charts need regular updates. The staff can do the necessary tests if they are well-versed in dosage. This is very important since it deals with the distribution of numerous medications. Staff members should also be aware of the risks associated with the medications they provide (Medication errors training, 2020). In order to be effective, the campaign must inform the public about the dangers of combining medications with alcohol, street drugs, and even vitamins. This has the potential to lower the rate of pharmaceutical errors. The training process also includes being acquainted with any new policies, systems, or technologies implemented by the hospital (Ofosu & Jarrett, 2015). Mistakes brought on by inexperience with machines could be reduced with this training.
Healthcare providers should be educated to recognize and rectify medication delivery and monitoring errors. Education can improve public understanding of the gravity of medical errors. If medical professionals are prepared for the possibility of medication errors, patients will suffer less from their treatment (World Health Organization, 2016). In order to properly care for patients who are more prone to complications, medical professionals need specialized training. Encouragement and regular assessment and treatment for those at high risk are needed. Prescription errors might be reduced by training in instruments like bingo systems, checklist processes, and entrance requirements. By adopting this program, staff members will be more informed on how they should evaluate patient data during rounds, resulting in fewer adverse outcomes.
Time management, conflict resolution, and interpersonal communication are just skills that medical staff members should be trained in. Managers must maintain consistent contact with each worker to manage employees personally and effectively. Personnel management entails resolving conflicts with superiors and fostering a more collaborative and communicative atmosphere among workers. Employees who care about their patient’s well-being will have the interpersonal and communication skills they need to do their jobs successfully. Staffing skills training may teach methods for reducing healthcare workers’ workloads and increasing the frequency of staff inspections, which may help reduce the likelihood of prescription errors (Wondmieneh, Alemu, Tadele & Demis, 2020). As a result, there will be fewer problems at work that a person is experiencing stress over. Worker stress may be reduced by better scheduling and other means, freeing up time for hobbies, family, and professional development. An employee’s actions that assist decrease the possibility of pharmaceutical errors should be tracked closely.
Evaluation
The researchers in this study conducted a literature review, including electronic and manual searches. The databases used for the electronic search were Google Scholar, PubMed, and CINAHL. Books and journals written for medical experts were used in the manual search. Managing medication mistakes and ensuring patient safety are discussed in the literature review. These materials were used to draw attention to the hazards of medication errors and the steps that may be taken to avoid them. Managing medication mistakes and the many ways to do so are the primary topics of the publications consulted. Findings from the research emphasized the need to train personnel to reduce the occurrence of medical mistakes.
Management techniques have also been emphasized. Training, scheduling, and monitoring have all been found to minimize mistake rates in the literature. Training programs were also highlighted as a way to prevent errors from occurring. All healthcare personnel should be taught before they step foot in a hospital or other healthcare facility since it is clear that more training leads to fewer occurrences caused by pharmaceutical mistakes. The effectiveness of patient safety programs is directly correlated to the amount of training provided to staff. Employees require extensive education to forestall mistakes (Ofosu & Jarrett, 2015). Medication mistakes are one area where education may make a difference. Most errors may be traced to a fundamental lack of competence or proper training (World Health Organization, 2016). Frequent training is needed to maintain control over hospital uniformity, management procedures, and the tools they utilize. Employee performance may be enhanced by teaching them to use less energy and provide better patient health outcomes.
Training programs implemented at healthcare facilities are effective in reducing the occurrence of adverse events. Medication mistakes have far-reaching consequences, and researchers are just beginning to scratch the surface. Studies like this are helpful because they show people how to avoid dangerous circumstances that may otherwise result in severe harm or even death. Errors may now be mitigated owing to the insights gained from these investigations. Preventing harmful errors in drug administration requires several measures, one of which is training.
Budget
The training would involve using checklists, step-by-step instructions, and other techniques to improve patient safety. Included in the training will be all workers engaged in treating patients and any person who may help administrate drugs. The training packages that will be provided will cost between $2.00 and $5.00 for each healthcare employee per month. The expenses will cover equipment, software, medical supplies, and other costs associated with providing training on avoiding mistakes. The management of each hospital, whether public or private, will provide the financing for training.
Conclusion
Medication administration is a challenging task that requires much care and deliberation. Medication administration errors resulting from improper identification may have catastrophic consequences for patients. In any healthcare institution in the world, pharmaceutical distribution errors are possible. Doctors, nurses, and patients must be aware of medication mistakes’ possible risks. To ensure that pharmaceutical errors are avoided, it is vital to provide the appropriate training (Ofosu & Jarrett, 2015).
Medication delivery errors may result in various consequences for patients, nurses, and staff. All healthcare personnel should be trained on the administration of pharmaceuticals and the accompanying hazards. Training should be provided so personnel may notice and prevent medication administration mistakes. Additionally, nursing staff must be closely supervised so they may get support in the event of drug mistakes. The administration of a hospital unit must be aware of this risk and performance monitoring to guarantee compliance with medical management standards by nursing staff.
This study is very critical of how it contributes to the problem of medication administration errors and offers several remedies to this problem. Patients, medical workers, and nurses must be informed of the possible risks linked with pharmaceutical mistakes (World Health Organization, 2016). To ensure that pharmaceutical errors are avoided, it is vital to provide the appropriate training. Additionally, nursing staff must be closely supervised so they may get support in the event of drug mistakes. The administration of a hospital unit must be aware of this risk and performance monitoring to guarantee compliance with medical management standards by nursing staff.
References
Manouchehr Saljoughian Department of Pharmacy Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Berkeley, California. (2020, June 18). Avoiding medication errors. U.S. Pharmacist – The Leading Journal in Pharmacy. https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/avoiding-medication-errors
Medication errors training. (2020, December 7). MWAN Events |. https://www.mwanevents.com/medication-errors-training/
Working to reduce medication errors. (2019, August 23). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/information-consumers-and-patients-drugs/working-reduce-medication-errors
Likic, R., & Maxwell, S. R. (2009). Prevention of medication errors: teaching and training. British journal of clinical pharmacology, 67(6), 656-661.
Carvalho, M. L., Elias, C. D. M. V., Carvalho, P. M. G. D., Carvalho, M. L., & Landim, C. A. P. (2013). Strategies for the prevention of errors in medication administration: a contribution to nursing practice. Revista de Pesquisa: Cuidado é Fundamental Online, 5(6), 390-400. https://www.ssoar.info/ssoar/bitstream/handle/document/55011/ssoar-revpesquisa-2013-6-carvalho_et_al-Strategies_for_the_prevention_of.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y&lnkname=ssoar-revpesquisa-2013-6-carvalho_et_al-Strategies_for_the_prevention_of.pdf
World Health Organization. (2016). Medication errors. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/252274/9789241511643-eng.pdf
Ofosu, R., & Jarrett, P. (2015). Reducing nurse medicine administration errors. Nursing Times, 111(20), 12-14. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282381378_Reducing_nurse_medicine_administration_errors
Wondmieneh, A., Alemu, W., Tadele, N., & Demis, A. (2020). Medication administration errors and contributing factors among nurses: a cross sectional study in tertiary hospitals, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. BMC nursing, 19(1), 1-9. https://bmcnurs.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12912-020-0397-0
Carrie, A. (2022, June 28). The 8 most common root causes of medical errors. Always Culture. https://alwaysculture.com/hcahps/communication-medications/8-most-common-causes-of-medical-errors/
write