Studies conducted in 2019 show that about 700,000 emergency department visits and 100,000 hospitalizations are due to adverse drug events (MacDowell et al., 2021). Sadly, the statistics state that about 5% of hospitalized patients end up experiencing ADE due to medical errors (MacDowell et al., 2021). These statistics have been phenomenal to how I have approached Medical Administration because I would like to be among the healthcare providers who increase the numbers instead of reducing them. I was keen to identify steps that would improve and continue my competence in medication administration safely and to stay in the know-how to prevent common medical administration errors student nurses commit.
Continuance of competence in medical administration is important since medical errors are mainly a nurse’s responsibility. Therefore, I have learned to follow the implemented guidelines, such as the rights of medical administration, communication with the patient, being vigilant, and using the available technology to administer medications (MacDowell et al., 2021). These established frameworks are important in keeping the nurse grounded, even when they feel overwhelmed and are seeing many patients per round. That is why it is important to embrace the technological advancements that have consolidated information in a single place.
Technology in the medical field has allowed all authorized personnel to access a single place to see their patient’s medical history and what they are being treated for. Medication administration has been made more accurate with the use of technology since it increases the legibility of medication orders and the collaboration of clinical decisions that are crucial for positive outcomes (MacDowell et al., 2021). Through technological integration, accuracy increases since issues like drug allergies, possible drug interactions, and dosage indications can be checked automatically. The most fundamental I learned about this was data entry because every other information is generated from it. Therefore, that calls for my vigilance to ensure every patient’s information is logged in correctly. Also, looking at the evidence-based findings is crucial.
Learning and education as a healthcare provider never end. New information and answers are being discovered every now and then. That is why it is crucial to stay updated with recent medical practices. The first way I learned to stay in the knowledge is by being willing to read new studies. The findings offered in these studies shape the medical field. One can learn about them through attending training and seminars that are often organized. Keeping myself updated is not just for myself but also to offer patient education for my patients. That way, errors at home and in the hospital are mitigated, particularly those nurse students are prone to.
Nurse students, like myself and my colleagues, are prone to medication errors, such as giving the wrong patient the wrong medication at the wrong time and using the wrong route. In addition, we may respond wrongly in case a patient is given the wrong dose or uses the wrong route (MacDowell et al., 2021). Therefore, practicing medical administration is a path I found to help me in mastering this course. Importantly, it is okay to confirm things instead of pretending to know because the consequences are worse with pretense.
Therefore, pursuing steps that will improve my competency in medical administration, remaining updated, and avoiding common medical errors students commit have been great lessons. Technology advancements and following the grounding frameworks are ways to continue safe medication administration. That way, one can avoid the common medical errors student nurses commit.
References
MacDowell, P., Cabri, A., & Davis, M. (2021). Medication administration errors. Psnet.ahrq.gov. https://psnet.ahrq.gov/primer/medication-administration-errors#:~:text=Wrong%20dose%2C%20missing%20doses%2C%20and
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