Multivariate regression showed that
double checking was significantly associated with a lower odds of any medication error
(OR 0.44 (0.27 to 0.72)). A further study, in a large academic hospital, reported medication error rates before and after the introduction of a double checking policy.
How can medication errors be reduced?
- MINIMIZE CLUTTER. …
- VERIFY ORDERS. …
- USE BARCODES. …
- BE AWARE OF LOOK-ALIKE SOUND-ALIKE (LASA) DRUGS. …
- HAVE A SECOND PAIR OF EYES CHECK PRESCRIPTIONS. …
- DESIGN EFFECTIVE WARNING SYSTEMS. …
- INVOLVE THE PATIENT. …
- TRUST YOUR GUT.
Why is double checking medication important?
Double-checking is a strategy employed by many hospitals
to help detect and prevent potentially harmful medication errors
.
How do you double check a medication?
Hospital policy defined double-checks as an independent process in which a second nurse verifies in the
presence
of the first nurse the: medication order, correct dose for patient weight, time of last dose administration, medication and solvents/diluents when applicable (eg, amount in syringe, number of tablets), dose …
What are 4 ways to prevent medical errors and medication mistakes?
- Follow proper medication reconciliation procedures. …
- Double check—or even triple check—procedures. …
- Have the physician (or another nurse) read it back. …
- Consider using a name alert. …
- Place a zero in front of the decimal point. …
- Document everything.
What is the most common cause of medication errors?
The most common causes of medication errors are:
Poor communication between your doctors
.
Poor communication between you and your doctors
.
Drug names that sound alike and medications that look alike
.
What are examples of medication errors?
- Prescribing.
- Omission.
- Wrong time.
- Unauthorized drug.
- Improper dose.
- Wrong dose prescription/wrong dose preparation.
- Administration errors including the incorrect route of administration, giving the drug to the wrong patient, extra dose or wrong rate.
What are the 3 checks in medication administration?
WHAT ARE THE THREE CHECKS? Checking the:
– Name of the person; – Strength and dosage; and – Frequency against the
: Medical order; • MAR; AND • Medication container.
Who can double check medications?
Double-checking should be by two qualified clinicians which may include a combination of a
registered nurse, midwife
, enrolled nurse without a notation, medical officer or pharmacist.
What is another word for double check?
| crosscheck document | substantiate validate | verify confirm | support prove | authenticate certify |
|---|
Why is it so important to double check and check again while entering data about a patient?
Double checking is
an intervention that can catch problems before they cause harm to the patient
, and as such often prevents the reporting of near misses. The double check process was seen as a risk mitigation technique, and reporting the near miss was not viewed as beneficial.
What are the high risk medications?
- A – Antimicrobials.
- P – Potassium and other electrolytes, psychotropic medications.
- I – Insulin.
- N – Narcotics, opioids and sedatives.
- C – Chemotherapeutic agents.
- H – Heparin and other anticoagulants.
- S – Safer systems (e.g. safe administration of liquid medications using oral syringes)
What are the six rights for medication administration?
- Identify the right patient. …
- Verify the right medication. …
- Verify the indication for use. …
- Calculate the right dose. …
- Make sure it's the right time. …
- Check the right route.
What are the top 5 medical errors?
- Misdiagnosis. Errors in diagnosis are one of the most common medical mistakes. …
- Medication Errors. Medication errors are one of the most common mistakes that can occur during treatment. …
- Infections. …
- Falls. …
- Being Sent Home Too Early.
How can we avoid error in care?
- Know the patient. Always check the patient identification band and details. …
- Know the drug. …
- Know the environment. …
- Introduce yourself. …
- Push back on interruptions. …
- Be proactive. …
- Ask questions and double check. …
- Don't crush medication unless instructed.
How can you protect yourself from medical errors?
- Take an active role. People who are involved with their care tend to get better results. …
- Keep your healthcare provider informed. …
- Allergy alert. …
- Is it legible? …
- Clear terms. …
- Check drug, dosage. …
- Be informed and ask questions.
