Medication Errors: Definitions and Classification, Essay Example

Medication errors are a common cause for concern within research institutions because they are avoidable mistakes that can cause great damage to the patient population. Overall, it is important to determine how to reduce these errors in light of the modern technology available. In particular, electronic health record systems could be used to help health professionals track important medication data to avoid these errors (Aronson, 2009). Honesty in reporting is an essential component of this need to ensure that all records are accurate, but it is plausible to believe that the implementation of enhanced record tracking will positively contribute to the reduction of medication errors.

Therefore, the research question that will be posed is, “What nursing practice factors are necessary to ensure that the implementation of electronic health record data will reduce the frequency of medication errors made in practice?” It is hypothesized that the efficacy of such a medication reporting program would depend on the organizational culture of the institution. If nurses are able to honestly report essential medication error information that impacts patient care, then it is expected that the incidence of medication errors will increase. It is therefore important to communicate these errors through the use of technology to ensure that all health care professionals are able to work towards minimizing these problems in practice. Creating a culture of reporting will ensure that nurses understand the benefits of reporting mistakes and that they would not feel that their supervisors would reprimand them for their honesty and ability to rectify a potentially damaging situation. Overall, an examination of this question has the potential to meaningfully contribute to nursing practice.

Response to Professor

I am planning on using electronic health record system reporting as a manner to detect medication errors. I am asking that nurses report these errors as a component of the patient’s health record to allow members of staff to be aware that this mistake has been made so individuals in later shifts could address potential issues that would be caused by these actions. In order to gain a greater understanding of the feasibility of this method acting as a sufficient reporting mechanism, I am issuing a survey to determine whether nurses would report errors using this method or whether they would still feel less inclined to be honest about such incidents. Overall, I want the focus of the project to be to determine how to create a culture that would encourage nurses to report medication errors that occurred and not feel that they will be punished as a consequence. I agree that this will contribute to a larger percentage of reporting initially, but the actual rate of medication errors may decrease over time as nurses recognize the mistakes that both they and their colleagues have made in the past.

As such, I am talking about a mixture of the record elements and administration. Ultimately, collaborating with the administration is necessary to create a culture that will help nurses feel more comfortable about reporting. It is my hope that the barriers to effective medication reporting could be removed so patients care can be improved. There are many aspects of the medication error problem that could be discussed, but underreporting due to organizational culture is a problem that needs to be addressed as well. Therefore, I wanted this to be my primary focus for the project.

References

Aronson KJ. (2009). Medication errors: definitions and classification. J Clin Pharmacol., 67(6): 599–604.

Leedy PD, Omrod JE. (2012). Practical Research: Planning and Design (10th Edition). Pearson.