Recent research indicates that there is an increase in medication errors with nurses working on the night shift. It is noted that sleep deprivation interferes with concentration and increases distractibility. Assumptions can be drawn that the lack of concentration and distractibility may also affect other aspects of the night nurses care, including assessments, charting accuracy and critical thinking skills. To compound these issues, many new nurses work night shifts as it is often where the open positions are available. What can be done to address these issues? Organizations may want to explore resources to aid nurses with acclimation to the night shift. Education on circadian rhythms and how best to facilitate a healthy life style while working on nights is a great place to begin. Offering resources such as written materials, and formal classes may be of benefit. In addition, encouraging a culture that promotes power naps, healthy eating and exercise during breaks is recommended. Tracking changes in incident reports that relate to night shift medication errors and reckless behaviors may prove beneficial to support a culture of addressing night shift needs.
Original Post
November 6, 2009
Title: Reduction in Medication Errors-comment
In addition to medication administration practice for student and graduate nurses, there should also be continuous education on Pharmacology updates and practices for staff nurses. There is a wide variety of resources available, including monthly ISMP news letters providing insight into medication errors – not only showing nursing errors in judgement, but also shedding light on system errors as well. Electronic medication administration records and Physician order entry applications are also computerized tools that can be utilized by organizations to decrease the incidence and cost of medication errors.
Original Post
November 3, 2009
Title: Reduction in medication errors
It has become obvious to me in my practice as a nurse administrator that medication errors are a major liability to a health care facility. Efforts to reduce them are paramount to quality standards of practice.. A combination of education and interdisciplinary approach to error reduction is crucial. By "humanizing" medication directions i.e. at bedtime instead of hs the potential for the wrong med at the wrong time at the wrong dose is minimized. By educating new nursing students to the need for safe practice and insisting on that practice prior to graduating nurses, medication errors as well as quality of care will improve. By utilizing pharmacy consultants to review MD orders for correct utilization of meds the potential for error is again reduced.
Defense Attorney Lawyer Healthcare Medication Errors
Tags: Forensic Nursing, Forensic Nursing Chronicles, Forensic Nursing Theories, Forensic Nursing Medication Errors, Defense Attorney Lawyer Healthcare Medication Errors
Forensic Nursing Chronicles 