Use Of A Standardized Protocol To Decrease Medication Errors

Question: Discuss about the Use Of A Standardized Protocol To Decrease Medication Errors. Answer: Description I took a medical round in the pediatric ward with the registered nurse I was assigned. My patient in this ward was a type 1 diabetic who was due for insulin. I receive my instructions from the registered nurse. In this case, the nurse requested me to draw 24 units of insulin, which I was to administer to the patient as the nurse watches. We both checked the dosage to make sure it was 24 units before administering. Later, I return to check the blood sugar levels. I noticed that the level had dropped drastically from 14mmol/l to 3.5mmol/l. I notified the nurse immediately. On checking the medical chart, we realized that we had administered 24 units instead of 2.4 units of insulin. Feeling Before administering the dosage, I felt self-assured and positive on what I was doing. I had seen the registered nurse administer the insulin before so I had prior knowledge. When I have to discuss the patient with the registered nurse, I made sure we were outside the ward as it is unprofessional to discuss over a patient at their presence. The medical records were not updated and were poorly managed. When the registered nurse mentioned this to me, I become defensive and I said, It does not matter. When I came into my conscious, I knew such remarks were unprofessional, that is when I went in to check the patients blood sugar level to check on their response after the administration of the insulin. Medical records are a working document, which should always be updated to avoid medical errors. Lack, poor, and incomplete record keeping can be injurious to the patient recovery (Sheu, Wei, Chen, Yu Tang, 2009). I felt so helpless and I had to request the registered to do something with t he patient. Evaluation My professional role in nursing helped me to assess the patients blood sugar level in order to give an accurate description to the registered nurse prior to administering the insulin. I provided the nurse with evidence, which consolidated with my assessment skills that enabled me to put my drug administration skills into practice. Analysis Lesar (2002) notes hat professional partnership stand a risk if a registered nurse lacks professional knowledge, which will enable them to act ethically, this, undermines their authority. For instance, the registered nurse knew that I was a learner and should have treated me as a learner but not a care partner. Therefore, it is essential to design appropriate nursing framework in order to eliminate some of the medical errors as the one above (Wolf, Hicks Serembus, 2006). For instance, a nursing intervention that notifies nursing students on what to do, how to do it, and when to do is essential in the nursing practice (Donihi Korytkowski, 2006). Further, registered nurses should enhance their communication skills so that other practitioners can be flexible in their nursing approach. In the case of poor medical documentation, it is imperative for nurses to maintain complete and up to date medical record in order to avoid medical errors, which can be detrimental to the patient (Balas, Scott Rogers, 2004). For instance, if the nurse had maintained a complete set of medical records, there could not have been any errors in medication. Conclusion I conclude that my drug administration process was successful. Despite the errors in the dosage, the patients blood level stabilized after receiving medical support from the other healthcare practitioners. However, I learned that it is important to maintain complete and up to date medical records, as they are a legal document, which should be in progress. Nevertheless, I demonstrated that I can holistically assess patients but I had to further my knowledge on my career concerns as remarks like it does not matter are unprofessional and can put the patients life in danger. Action Plan In order to give confidence for the participation of others in drug administration, I will e conversant on the issue of drug administration and the importance of medical records. Further, I will enhance my knowledge on the diabetic stages and the dosage required for each stage of the condition. I will disseminate the same knowledge to my peers s sharing medical knowledge is imperative in a holistic care. As I develop into a fully registered nurse, I will continue with my medical research so that I can reflect it in my practice. Hence, formulating a new action plan will address my weaknesses and by acknowledging the weaknesses, I will be in a position to create achievable goals in order to become a competent health care provider (Pianpeng Koraneekij, 2016). References Balas, M. C., Scott, L. D., Rogers, A. E. (2004). The prevalence and nature of errors and near errors reported by hospital staff nurses.Applied Nursing Research,17(4), 224-230. Donihi Korytkowski, M. T. (2006). Use of a standardized protocol to decrease medication errors and adverse events related to sliding scale insulin.Quality and Safety in Health Care,15(2), 89-91. Kaushal, R., Bates, D. W., Landrigan, C., McKenna, K. J., Clapp, M. D., Federico, F., Goldmann, D. A. (2001). Medication errors and adverse drug events in pediatric inpatients.Jama,285(16), 2114-2120. Lesar, T. S. (2002). Prescribing errors involving medication dosage forms.Journal of general internal medicine,17(8), 579-587. Pianpeng, T., Koraneekij, P. (2016). Development of a Model of Reflection Using Video Based on Gibbs's Cycle in Electronic Portfolio to Enhance Level of Reflective Thinking of Nursing Students.International Journal of Nursing6(1), 26. Sheu, S. J., Wei, I. L., Chen, C. H., Yu, S., Tang, F. I. (2009). Using snowball sampling method with nurses to understand medication administration errors.Journal of clinical nursing,18(4), 559-569. Wolf, Z. R., Hicks, R., Serembus, J. F. (2006). Characteristics of medication errors made by students during the administration phase: a descriptive study.Journal of Professional Nursing,22(1), 39-51.