COMMON CAUSES OF MEDICATION ERRORS

 

When a patient is admitted to a healthcare facility, 
 information such as allergies, past medical history,
 height, weight and medications taken, are all recorded.

This type of information is very important, as it will help
 the doctor when prescribing medications. It will also be
of use to the pharmacist with providing correct drug dosages.

Regardless of where a nurse works, medication administration 
 is done.The nurse who gives drugs of any kind, should take time, 
to ensure that everything is done correctly.

 Learn more: Nursing fundamentals

Helpful information for the clinical nurse
                                         

                                  

                                         

 

                               Clinical judgement         

Here are some of the ways in which medication
errors may occur:
-Misreading MD orders. If the nurse is uncertain
about an order , it is best to communicate with the
doctor or pharmacist.   
-   Poor communication of information, for example,
   when a patient is  transferred from one unit to
  another.
  - Improper dilution of medication ( always check
  the manufacturer's instructions for proper dilution). 
 - Drug incompatibility: An example - Dilantin
   can only be mixed with  Normal Saline.
- Confusing one drug with another, as some
    drugs have similar names.