Medication errors do occur due to poor staff, poor handwriting, and even lack of sleep, but the way nursing students are taught in nursing school is the real problem. Nursing schools are turning out "prima donnas" and not reliable hard working individuals. We "spoon feed" the new nurses instead of making them accountable.
Original Post
March 4, 2010
Title: “200,000 Americans Killed Each Year in Hospitals by Medical Error”
Listed in the above are common causes of medication errors: lack of sleep in caregivers, poor communication, illegible handwriting, poor staffing. These problems are encountered in all areas of patient care. There are never enough nurses, nurses have too many patients, work too many hours, and in reality are often rushed . Home medications are often not reported accurately and many physicians (who are also often rushed) write poorly. Several of the 2010 National Patient Safety Goals focus on medication administration as a result of reported medication errors. How do we change this? Change begins with education. Nurses must continue to learn about new medications and review old ones, never hesitating to consult resources if unsure about any aspect of a medication. As the last line of defense between the patient and a medication error, nurses must be dedicated to practicing the 5 Rights and the nursing process as it relates to medication administration, providing thorough assessments and evaluations even when rushed. Patients must be educated as well, and taught to ask and know about their medications, to report untoward effects and to learn about lifestyle changes which could reduce or eliminate the need for some medications. As nurses, we must continue to promote better nurse to patient ratio in all areas of care. We must exhibit professional and safe medication administration in our own practice and in mentoring new nurses just beginning their profession. The amount of reported medication errors is a sobering fact which should incite a call to all nurses and facilities to performance improvement in this area.
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