Preventing Medication Errors Chapter 9

2 Safe Medication Administration Prescription –Licensed providers must have authority within their state to write prescriptions –Nurses play an important role in preventing errors at this step –Includes verbal orders Repeat and verify all verbal orders for accuracy

3 Safe Medication Administration Transcription –Patient’s name –Date and time written –Drug name and dosage –Route of administration –Frequency or time of administration –Prescriber’s signature

4 Safe Medication Administration 6 Rights –Right drug –Right route –Right patient –Right dose –Right time –Right documentation

5 Right Drug Check medication label –On first contact with drug –Prior to measuring (pouring, counting or withdrawing) –After obtaining the drug, just prior to administration

6 Right Patient Correctly identify patient prior to medication administration –Compare armband with medication administration record –Ask the patient to state his name

7 Right Route Consult a drug information source to confirm correct route Many need to change or clarify forms or routes of the drug for safe medication administration

8 Right Time Order should include frequency of administration Use safe abbreviations

9 Right Dose Carefully read and clarify drug orders Recheck labels

10 Right Dose Have two nurses double check potent medications –Common sources of errors e.g. Insulin Consult drug references Accurate dosage calculations

11 Right Documentation Document after administration Omitting documentation can result in over or undermedication