writing process

7

Madeleine Atemkeng nso nana

English language

11/20/2023

A Research Proposal and Annotated Bibliography on Reducing Medication Errors in Nursing

Overview of the Topic

Medication errors in nursing are an important issue that affects patient safety. Such errors are attributed to issues such as poor communication, lack of skills, and breakdowns in the healthcare system’s management (Dirik et al., 2017). Indeed, the consequences of these mistakes result in a range of consequences as they could lead to minor discomfort, serious complications in patients, and even death in extreme cases (Mieiro et al. 311). The main objective in this research is to explore various reasons for medicine errors and the related outcomes on patients and health organizations. This will help to suggest practical solutions that can be applied in the nursing practice with a view of eliminating most medicine errors that endanger the lives of patients and improve nursing care.

My Goals

· Identify the primary factors contributing to medication errors in nursing.

· Explore the impact of medication errors on patient outcomes and healthcare costs.

· Evaluate existing strategies and technologies used to minimize medication errors.

· Propose practical and implementable solutions tailored to nursing practices.

· Assess the effectiveness of these solutions through case studies and research.

Audience

For this study, its major audience includes health care providers, nurses, healthcare administrators, and patient safety advocates. This target group involves healthcare stakeholders who are directly involved in medication administration and the implementation of new measures to curb errors.

Purpose

This research aims at comprehensively informing the audience about medication errors in nursing and their possible causes and impacts. The purpose of this research is to provide practical evidence-based strategic approaches that will enhance patient safety and improve general healthcare outcomes.

Early Research

Medication errors in nursing represent a significant and complex challenge within the healthcare system, directly impacting patient safety and treatment outcomes (Fomuso 2: 12). Such errors can occur during any stage of the medication process, which is inclusive of prescribing, dispensing, administration, and monitoring (Mieiro et al., 2020: 308). This can be attributed to many reasons such as miscalculations in dosages, incorrect interpretation of orders, miscommunication between healthcare providers, and drugs with similar names or abbreviations. These factors may be amplified for nurses who work in a fast-paced and often high-pressure environment where the mistakes might be unintended but still dangerous (Escrivá et al., 207). Medication errors can have serious ramifications, ranging from patient harm, extended hospital stays, higher healthcare costs, and even death (Dirik et.al. p.931).

Medication errors need to be handled using a multi-dimensional approach targeting the individual and systematic factors. Education and training play a crucial role in equipping nurses with the necessary skills and knowledge to safely administer medications (Fomuso 7: 31). Nursing education should be emphasized on proper communication, understanding of the drugs properties, and right identification of patients. Furthermore, health care institutions can undertake systematic changes like electronic prescribing and barcoded medication administration to minimize the risks associated with errors. They also support verification of the right medication and dose for the right patient which gives an added layer of safety (Mieiro et al. 311-312). In addition, building a culture of safety in the health care settings where nurses can comfortably report near misses and errors is important in continuous learning and improving (Dirik et al. 936).

Addressing medication errors in nursing aims at ensuring good patient safety and better health outcomes in hospitals. Healthcare providers can avoid errors by recognizing and appreciating the multitudes of issues associated with medication administration. This involves a multifaceted approach including individual self-alertness, continuous upgrading of knowledge, technological innovation, and organizational improvement (Mieiro et al., p. 312). These are coordinated attempts that are aimed at minimizing the number of medication errors. Therefore, the nursing profession can lower the level of medication errors thus improving the best standards for quality care and patient safety.

Conclusion

The significance of this research on medical errors in nursing cannot be overemphasized. The proposed goals of identifying contributing factors, evaluating current strategies, and implementing practical solutions are geared to foster a safer and more reliable environment for medication administration in nursing. Finally, the study aims at reducing the number of medication errors in nursing, improving patient care, and increasing the quality of healthcare. With dedicated research, continued education, systematic reforms, and a collaborative stance in the nursing field, there can be substantial progress towards patient safety and preservation of quality healthcare services.

Annotated Working Bibliography

Dirik, Hasan Fehmi, et al. "Nurses’ identification and reporting of medication errors." Journal of clinical nursing 28.5-6 (2019): 931-938.

The study, carried out in Turkey, investigates role of hospital nurses in the identification and reporting of medication errors. Utilizing a descriptive survey with 135 nurses, the research identifies significant discrepancies in the recognition and reporting of various medication errors. Notably, while nurses can identify such errors, a reluctance to report them, primarily due to fear of consequences, is observed. This emphasizes the importance of precise definitions of medication errors and fostering robust, supportive reporting policies to improve the patient’s safety. This source is crucial in my problem-solving essay for discussing the challenges facing nursing staff in recognition and reporting of medication errors. The study’s findings will be instrumental in recommending interventions to reform the reporting system and culture of healthcare settings towards patient safety with supportive environment that promotes disclosure.

Escrivá Gracia, Juan, Ricardo Brage Serrano, and Julio Fernández Garrido. "Medication errors and drug knowledge gaps among critical-care nurses: a mixed multi-method study." BMC health services research 19.1 (2019): 1-9.

This research, employing a mixed-methods approach, explores the association between drug knowledge proficiency among ICU nurses’ and the prevalence of medication errors in these units. The study uncovers a low level of knowledge about commonly used drugs and a correlation with a higher incidence of medication errors, especially in areas like antibiotic administration and medication delivery via nasogastric tubes. This source will be critical in my essay to demonstrate the direct impact of nurses' knowledge gaps on medication errors in critical care settings. The findings will provide support for arguments in favor of elaborate nurse training and education programs to minimize medication errors and improve patient safety in intensive care units.

Fomuso, L. “How to Prevent Becoming a Victim of Medication Errors.” TED, Jan. 2020, https://www.ted.com/talks/lusia_fomuso_how_to_prevent_becoming_a_victim_of_medication_errors.

Dr. Lusia Fomuso, with her extensive pharmaceutical know-how, emphasizes the role of patient education in reducing medication errors. She highlights the lack of patient knowledge regarding prescription impacts and emphasizes the role of reading and understanding medication instructions as a critical factor in patient safety. This TED talk will be used in my essay to argue for the vital role of patient education in mitigating medication errors. Dr. Fomuso's insights will support my proposal for increasing public health initiatives focused on educating patients about their medications, thereby reducing the incidence of medication errors.

Mieiro, Debora Bessa, et al. "Strategies to minimize medication errors in emergency units: an integrative review." Revista brasileira de enfermagem 72 (2019): 307-314.

This integrative review assesses various strategies employed by nursing teams to minimize medication errors in emergency units. It covers educational, organizational, and technological approaches, such as campaigns, protocols, and the use of computerized systems and barcodes in medication administration. This source will serve as a foundation for proposing multifaceted strategies to minimize medication errors in emergency settings. The evidence-based approaches discussed in the review will be key in formulating comprehensive solutions involving education, technology, and organizational change in my essay.

7

Madeleine Atemkeng nso nana

English language

11/20/2023

A Research Proposal and Annotated Bibliography on Reducing Medication Errors in Nursing

Overview of the Topic

Medication errors in nursing are an important issue that affects patient safety. Such errors are attributed to issues such as poor communication, lack of skills, and breakdowns in the healthcare system’s management (Dirik et al., 2017). Indeed, the consequences of these mistakes result in a range of consequences as they could lead to minor discomfort, serious complications in patients, and even death in extreme cases (Mieiro et al. 311). The main objective in this research is to explore various reasons for medicine errors and the related outcomes on patients and health organizations. This will help to suggest practical solutions that can be applied in the nursing practice with a view of eliminating most medicine errors that endanger the lives of patients and improve nursing care.

My Goals

· Identify the primary factors contributing to medication errors in nursing.

· Explore the impact of medication errors on patient outcomes and healthcare costs.

· Evaluate existing strategies and technologies used to minimize medication errors.

· Propose practical and implementable solutions tailored to nursing practices.

· Assess the effectiveness of these solutions through case studies and research.

Audience

For this study, its major audience includes health care providers, nurses, healthcare administrators, and patient safety advocates. This target group involves healthcare stakeholders who are directly involved in medication administration and the implementation of new measures to curb errors.

Purpose

This research aims at comprehensively informing the audience about medication errors in nursing and their possible causes and impacts. The purpose of this research is to provide practical evidence-based strategic approaches that will enhance patient safety and improve general healthcare outcomes.

Early Research

Medication errors in nursing represent a significant and complex challenge within the healthcare system, directly impacting patient safety and treatment outcomes (Fomuso 2: 12). Such errors can occur during any stage of the medication process, which is inclusive of prescribing, dispensing, administration, and monitoring (Mieiro et al., 2020: 308). This can be attributed to many reasons such as miscalculations in dosages, incorrect interpretation of orders, miscommunication between healthcare providers, and drugs with similar names or abbreviations. These factors may be amplified for nurses who work in a fast-paced and often high-pressure environment where the mistakes might be unintended but still dangerous (Escrivá et al., 207). Medication errors can have serious ramifications, ranging from patient harm, extended hospital stays, higher healthcare costs, and even death (Dirik et.al. p.931).

Medication errors need to be handled using a multi-dimensional approach targeting the individual and systematic factors. Education and training play a crucial role in equipping nurses with the necessary skills and knowledge to safely administer medications (Fomuso 7: 31). Nursing education should be emphasized on proper communication, understanding of the drugs properties, and right identification of patients. Furthermore, health care institutions can undertake systematic changes like electronic prescribing and barcoded medication administration to minimize the risks associated with errors. They also support verification of the right medication and dose for the right patient which gives an added layer of safety (Mieiro et al. 311-312). In addition, building a culture of safety in the health care settings where nurses can comfortably report near misses and errors is important in continuous learning and improving (Dirik et al. 936).

Addressing medication errors in nursing aims at ensuring good patient safety and better health outcomes in hospitals. Healthcare providers can avoid errors by recognizing and appreciating the multitudes of issues associated with medication administration. This involves a multifaceted approach including individual self-alertness, continuous upgrading of knowledge, technological innovation, and organizational improvement (Mieiro et al., p. 312). These are coordinated attempts that are aimed at minimizing the number of medication errors. Therefore, the nursing profession can lower the level of medication errors thus improving the best standards for quality care and patient safety.

Conclusion

The significance of this research on medical errors in nursing cannot be overemphasized. The proposed goals of identifying contributing factors, evaluating current strategies, and implementing practical solutions are geared to foster a safer and more reliable environment for medication administration in nursing. Finally, the study aims at reducing the number of medication errors in nursing, improving patient care, and increasing the quality of healthcare. With dedicated research, continued education, systematic reforms, and a collaborative stance in the nursing field, there can be substantial progress towards patient safety and preservation of quality healthcare services.

Annotated Working Bibliography

Dirik, Hasan Fehmi, et al. "Nurses’ identification and reporting of medication errors." Journal of clinical nursing 28.5-6 (2019): 931-938.

The study, carried out in Turkey, investigates role of hospital nurses in the identification and reporting of medication errors. Utilizing a descriptive survey with 135 nurses, the research identifies significant discrepancies in the recognition and reporting of various medication errors. Notably, while nurses can identify such errors, a reluctance to report them, primarily due to fear of consequences, is observed. This emphasizes the importance of precise definitions of medication errors and fostering robust, supportive reporting policies to improve the patient’s safety. This source is crucial in my problem-solving essay for discussing the challenges facing nursing staff in recognition and reporting of medication errors. The study’s findings will be instrumental in recommending interventions to reform the reporting system and culture of healthcare settings towards patient safety with supportive environment that promotes disclosure.

Escrivá Gracia, Juan, Ricardo Brage Serrano, and Julio Fernández Garrido. "Medication errors and drug knowledge gaps among critical-care nurses: a mixed multi-method study." BMC health services research 19.1 (2019): 1-9.

This research, employing a mixed-methods approach, explores the association between drug knowledge proficiency among ICU nurses’ and the prevalence of medication errors in these units. The study uncovers a low level of knowledge about commonly used drugs and a correlation with a higher incidence of medication errors, especially in areas like antibiotic administration and medication delivery via nasogastric tubes. This source will be critical in my essay to demonstrate the direct impact of nurses' knowledge gaps on medication errors in critical care settings. The findings will provide support for arguments in favor of elaborate nurse training and education programs to minimize medication errors and improve patient safety in intensive care units.

Fomuso, L. “How to Prevent Becoming a Victim of Medication Errors.” TED, Jan. 2020, https://www.ted.com/talks/lusia_fomuso_how_to_prevent_becoming_a_victim_of_medication_errors.

Dr. Lusia Fomuso, with her extensive pharmaceutical know-how, emphasizes the role of patient education in reducing medication errors. She highlights the lack of patient knowledge regarding prescription impacts and emphasizes the role of reading and understanding medication instructions as a critical factor in patient safety. This TED talk will be used in my essay to argue for the vital role of patient education in mitigating medication errors. Dr. Fomuso's insights will support my proposal for increasing public health initiatives focused on educating patients about their medications, thereby reducing the incidence of medication errors.

Mieiro, Debora Bessa, et al. "Strategies to minimize medication errors in emergency units: an integrative review." Revista brasileira de enfermagem 72 (2019): 307-314.

This integrative review assesses various strategies employed by nursing teams to minimize medication errors in emergency units. It covers educational, organizational, and technological approaches, such as campaigns, protocols, and the use of computerized systems and barcodes in medication administration. This source will serve as a foundation for proposing multifaceted strategies to minimize medication errors in emergency settings. The evidence-based approaches discussed in the review will be key in formulating comprehensive solutions involving education, technology, and organizational change in my essay.