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 are taken and recorded.
  
  
  This will help  the doctor when prescribing medications.
   It will also be of use to the pharmacist with providing
  correct drug dosages.

  

MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION

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

Here are some of the ways in which 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
   manufacturer's instructions for proper dilution).           
- Drug incompatibility ; an example, is Dilantin is
 mixed with Normal Saline.                         
- Confusing one drug with another, as some drugs
   have similar names.                         
- Distraction, like having a conversation while
 administrating medications .       
- Forgetting to document medications when given.