Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/11054/186
Title: Medication errors and professional practice of registered nurses.
Authors: Deans, Cecil
Issue Date: 2005
Publisher: Elsevier
Place of publication: Melbourne
Publication Title: Collegian
Volume: 12
Issue: 1
Start Page: 29
End Page: 33
Abstract: This Australian study identified and described the incidence of medication errors among registered nurses, the type and causes of these errors and the impact that administration of medications has on the professional practice of registered nurses. Mostly, medication errors were attributed to documentation issues, including: illegible handwriting, misunderstanding abbreviations, misplaced decimal point, misreading and misinterpreting written orders. Several human factors were attributed to potential causes of medication errors, including: stress, fatigue, knowledge and skill deficits. Environmental factors, namely, interruptions and distractions during the administration of medications, were also attributed to potential errors. The study found professional nursing practice involving administration of medications had a strong education, patient and ethical focus. Over a quarter of the respondents indicated that further training in medication administration would positively impact on their nursing practice. The registered nurses also highlighted they would appreciate more time to spend with patients when administering medications. Medication errors are not the sole responsibility of any single professional group, therefore, collaboration with other health professionals is central to establishing processes, policies, strategies and systems that will reduce their occurrence. The organisation and those nurses employed within it share an accountability to ensure safe administration of medications to patients. Based on study results, several recommendations are directed towards preventing or reducing medication errors and supporting nurses in providing best practice.
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/11054/186
Resource Link: http://archimedes.ballarat.edu.au:8080/vital/access/HandleResolver/1959.17/2024
ISSN: 1322-7696
Internal ID Number: 00170
Health Subject: MEDICATION ERRORS
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
REGISTERED NURSES
DOCUMENTATION
HUMAN FACTORS
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Type: Journal Article
Article
Appears in Collections:Research Output

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