Prevention of Medication Errors and Safety Measures Assignment

Prevention of Medication Errors and Safety Measures - Assignment Example Another important requirement is the right storage of medicines and accounting for the stocks at appropriate intervals. In many cases drugs are delivered to the patient by means of certain devices such as tubes and inhalers. In such cases it is necessary to ensure that the equipment is sterile and also monitor the system constantly (Anderson & Townsend, 2010). In addition to the above potential errors, environmental issues such as increased workload of the medical staff, distractions while procuring or administering drugs to the patient and fatigue and ill-health of the caregivers can also lead to grave medication errors. In one hospital setting a â€Å"no interruption zone† has been instituted in places where nurses procure medications from automated dispensing machines. Such actions will facilitate better concentration from the staff and hence fewer error risks (Anderson & Townsend, 2010). One of the main methods by which medication errors can be prevented is through proper and adequate information about drugs which needs to be provided to nurses and other medical staff attending the patient, pharmacists in charge of dispensing medications and to the patient themselves. Nursing staff and others dealing with medications should be constantly updated about new medicines procured by the facility as well on potential medication errors that could occur (Anderson & Townsend, 2010). In addition, physicians should educate every patient on the risks and benefits of the drugs prescribed to them and clarify the doubts of the patient regarding the long-term effects and dosage regimen of the drugs (Patel & Balkrishnan, 2010). Awareness on errors occurring in other... One of the main methods by which medication errors can be prevented is through proper and adequate information about drugs which needs to be provided to nurses and other medical staff attending the patient, pharmacists in charge of dispensing medications and to the patient themselves. Nursing staff and others dealing with medications should be constantly updated about new medicines procured by the facility as well on potential medication errors that could occur (Anderson & Townsend, 2010). In addition, physicians should educate every patient on the risks and benefits of the drugs prescribed to them and clarify the doubts of the patient regarding the long-term effects and dosage regimen of the drugs (Patel & Balkrishnan, 2010). Awareness on errors occurring in other facilities should also be created as it will help to provide a broader picture about the issue. In cases where negligence has been found to be the major cause of the error strict action needs to be ensued against the conce rned staff as they will serve as a caution for other members. Nurses and other caregivers should always bear in mind the five important rights while administering medicines that include identifying the right patient and the drug and administering the same in the correct dosage at the right time and via the right route (Anderson & Townsend, 2010; Patel & Balkrishnan, 2010). The use of information technology has also become a key factor for reducing errors related to medication over the past years.