Medication Errors Paper

Running Head: MEDICATION ERRORS 1
Medication Errors
Catherine Whitford
University of South Florida

MEDICATION ERRORS 2
Medication Errors
This paper discusses the topic of medication administration complications. The
goal is to shed some light on what are some of the most common mistakes, the impact of
these mistakes, and the policies and procedures put in place to avoid them. For new
nurses it is crucial to firmly understand these concepts before partaking in these
interventions. Patient safety relies on the fact that each nurse has a firm understanding of
what drugs are being administrated, how the drugs are to be administered, and what the
patient should expect after administration. Although mistakes do happen, it is important
to understand what protocols should be followed in case of an event.
Common Medication Errors
Some common medication errors include administering the wrong dose,
administering the wrong medication, and administering medication to the wrong patient.
Not properly calculating medication dosages can happen if a nurse does not properly
transcribe orders, use decimals wisely, or re-check calculations. Administering the
wrong medication can happen if a nurse does not properly read labels and just firmly
relies on the appearance of a medication for identification. Administering medication to
the wrong patient can occur if a nurse fails to identify the patient before administering or
by caring multiple patient medications at once.
The common medication errors discussed above can be directly affected by the
degree of distraction a nurse is experiencing. There are limitations to how much
information any person can receive, process and remember at any given point in time
(Perron, 2018). A nurse can be bombarded with a variety of health care personnel as well
MEDICATION ERRORS 3
as family members and other patients. Of all interruptions, 90% result in a negative
patient care outcome (Perron, 2018).
Impact on Patients and Families
Serious and sometimes fatal adverse reactions can happen to patient’s who are
victim to medication errors. Miscommunication or total lack of communication can
delay treatment after such errors are made. In some cases it can be a family member that
notices a change in status of a patient simply due to familiarity. This can be traumatizing.
Patients may also not report problems attributed to their medications if they are fearful of
doctors' reactions (Britten, 2009). Therefore communication can play a big part in
resolving complications resulting from administration of the wrong dosage, drug, or
administering to the wrong patient.
Avoiding Medication Errors
A nurse should always transcribe a zero before and not after the decimal point to
avoid confusion with dosage amounts. It is also suggested to double or even triple check
your work. Nurses should compare data to the MAR during calculation, preparation, and
once more before administration. Protocols for high-risk drugs, such as requiring a
second nurse to verify dosage, can also prevent such issues.
In avoiding administering the wrong medication a nurse should read the
medication label properly, compare to the MAR, and scan medication before
administering. It is also important to be aware of commonly mistaken drug names. This
information can be found on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
website.
MEDICATION ERRORS 4
Using a minimum of three patient identifiers before administering medications is
a standard protocol for avoiding administering medication to the wrong patient.
Hospitals have now incorporated technology into this process by scanning a patient’s
identification bracelet as well as the medication before administration. Overall, the
integration of technology has potentially reduced medication errors by 80% (Perron,
2018).
Impact on Students
As discussed before distractions play a big part in the development of medication
errors. I believe as a new nurse it can be very overwhelming working in such a complex
working environment. I fear that I too might give the wrong dose, drug, or administer to
the wrong patient. I do, on the hand, have a few ideas on how to avoid these issues. By
making a daily plan, and prioritizing my patients, it will help to keep my mind on tract
throughout the day. I also believe keeping a separate notepad on hand at all times can be
very beneficial. This allows me the ability to write down quick notes while conversing
with patients, family members, and other healthcare personnel. Lastly, I think it is very
important to stay updated on new policies and procedures regarding patient safety.
Patient safety articles of interest to the broader healthcare community are often published
in high-profile general journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, Annals of
Internal Medicine, BMJ, and JAMA (Wachter & Gupta, 2018).
Conclusion
I believe this assignment has given me the opportunity to really become part of
the conversation in regards to medication errors. As a new nurse, just starting to
administer medications, it has certainly provided me with the awareness and steps to take
MEDICATION ERRORS 5
in avoiding such events. In a perfect world there would be no mistakes but sadly we are
all human. That is why it is crucial to have policies and procedures in place to catch
them before they happen. I believe moving forward I will be able to properly implement
safe medication administration and patient safety.

MEDICATION ERRORS 6
References
Britten, N. (2009, June). Medication errors: The role of the patient. Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2723203/
Perron, S., "Cognitive Load of Registered Nurses During Medication
Administration" (2015). Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://scholarcommons-usf-edu.ezproxy.lib.usf.edu/etd/6013
Wachter, R. M., & Gupta, K. (2018). Understanding patient safety(3rd ed.). New York:
McGraw-Hill Education.
Winton, M. B., McCuistion, L. E., Yeager, J. J., Vuljoin-Dimaggio, K., & Kee, J. L.
(2018). Pharmacology: A patient-centered nursing process approach, 9th edition:
Study guide(9th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.

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Running Head: MEDICATION ERRORS 1

University of South Florida

This paper discusses the topic of medication administration complications. The

nurses it is crucial to firmly understand these concepts before partaking in these

patient should expect after administration. Although mistakes do happen, it is important

to understand what protocols should be followed in case of an event.

Common Medication Errors

Some common medication errors include administering the wrong dose,

transcribe orders, use decimals wisely, or re-check calculations. Administering the

relies on the appearance of a medication for identification. Administering medication to

by caring multiple patient medications at once.

degree of distraction a nurse is experiencing. There are limitations to how much

patient care outcome (Perron, 2018).

Impact on Patients and Families

victim to medication errors. Miscommunication or total lack of communication can

resolving complications resulting from administration of the wrong dosage, drug, or

administering to the wrong patient.

Avoiding Medication Errors

second nurse to verify dosage, can also prevent such issues.

In avoiding administering the wrong medication a nurse should read the

administering. It is also important to be aware of commonly mistaken drug names. This

Using a minimum of three patient identifiers before administering medications is

a standard protocol for avoiding administering medication to the wrong patient.

identification bracelet as well as the medication before administration. Overall, the

integration of technology has potentially reduced medication errors by 80% (Perron,

As discussed before distractions play a big part in the development of medication

Internal Medicine, BMJ, and JAMA (Wachter & Gupta, 2018).

the conversation in regards to medication errors. As a new nurse, just starting to

safe medication administration and patient safety.

Perron, S., "Cognitive Load of Registered Nurses During Medication

Administration" (2015). Graduate Theses and Dissertations.

(2018). Pharmacology: A patient-centered nursing process approach, 9th edition:

Study guide(9th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.

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