Medications Errors In Nursing

Medication errors are among the most common types of medical mistakes. The most common medication errors include prescribing the wrong medication, failing to give a patient the correct dose, and giving a patient the wrong drug for their condition. Medication errors can happen at any point during treatment: from prescribing to dispensing medications. These mistakes can have serious consequences for patients, including death or harm from taking too much or too little of their prescribed medicine

Introduction

What is a medication error?

A medication error occurs when an incorrect dose, route, or timing of drug administration or patient-specific problems occur. It may also mean that the wrong drug was provided to the patient. The largest cause of medication errors is human error; however, there are other contributing factors such as equipment failure and system flaws.

What is the impact of medication errors?

Medication errors can have serious consequences for patients; some side effects can be fatal if not addressed quickly enough by medical professionals. An estimated 1 million Americans die annually due to preventable medical errors, which accounts for more than 10 percent of all deaths nationwide each year (Healthline). Medication mistakes are also responsible for nearly 100,000 hospital visits each year (Healthline).

Causes of Medication Errors

There are several factors contributing to medication errors in nursing. These include:

• Poor communication between patient and nurse
• Poor communication between nurse and pharmacist
• Poor communication between nurse and doctor
• Poor communication between nurse and patient
• Poor communication between nurse and patient’s family/friends

Effect of Medication Errors

Medication errors can have a variety of effects, depending on the type of error and the patient’s health. In some cases, patients will be harmed or die as a result of medication errors. This can cause significant stress for both you and your patient’s family members.

What can be done to prevent mistakes?

There are several methods that can be used to minimize medication errors.

• Checklists
• Double checking for completeness and accuracy before giving or administering a drug or performing a procedure (e.g., dressing change)
• Use of technology such as barcode scanning systems, electronic prescribing programs, electronic health records, and computerized physician order entry systems (CPOE)
• Visual aids such as color coding labels and wristbands placed on patients who have received medications that may cause low blood pressure or dizziness when standing up suddenly after taking them; clear instructions regarding how much fluid should be given with each dose of medication; specific locations where certain medications should be stored in the hospital setting (e.g., intensive care units) so they are easy to find when needed

Medication errors has affected many lives.

Medication errors have affected many lives. The importance of the nurse’s role in the prevention of medication errors is critical to patient safety. Patients must be assured that their medications will be administered safely by a qualified professional who is knowledgeable about proper medication administration. Educating yourself about both the basics and nuances of drug calculation, dosage and administration can help you prevent this type of error from occurring in your own practice or someone else’s care setting.

Medication errors is a big concern in nursing and other healthcare providers. The drugs are very important for the patients’ health. The medicines must be administered properly because they can cause harm to the patient if they are not given in the right dosage or taken at the wrong time. It is also important that nurses understand how these drugs work so that they can provide better care for their patients.