Most errors are preventable by maintaining the six rights of medication administration rules. Medication errors lengthen hospital stays, and increase inpatient expenses. Preventing medication errors must start with educating the staff. Continuing education of the nursing staff can help reduce medication errors. Medications that are new to the hospital should receive high teaching priority. Caregivers should teach patients the name of each medication they are taking. Teach them also what the medications are for and how it should be taken. Nurses should not be interrupted during medication pass. Nurse should only pass meds to one patient at a time. Medications should be packaged in clearly labeled packages. Be mindful of look-a-like or sound-a-like drugs. Hospitals should use commercially available products to decrease the need for iv compounding medications and iv mixing. For a nurse who makes a medication error, consequences may include disciplinary action by the state board of nursing, job dismissal , mental anguish, and possible civil or criminal charges. To safeguard against medication errors, be conscientious about performing the six rights of medication
Most errors are preventable by maintaining the six rights of medication administration rules. Medication errors lengthen hospital stays, and increase inpatient expenses. Preventing medication errors must start with educating the staff. Continuing education of the nursing staff can help reduce medication errors. Medications that are new to the hospital should receive high teaching priority. Caregivers should teach patients the name of each medication they are taking. Teach them also what the medications are for and how it should be taken. Nurses should not be interrupted during medication pass. Nurse should only pass meds to one patient at a time. Medications should be packaged in clearly labeled packages. Be mindful of look-a-like or sound-a-like drugs. Hospitals should use commercially available products to decrease the need for iv compounding medications and iv mixing. For a nurse who makes a medication error, consequences may include disciplinary action by the state board of nursing, job dismissal , mental anguish, and possible civil or criminal charges. To safeguard against medication errors, be conscientious about performing the six rights of medication