UK Geneva Health Procedure for the Administration Medication
Drug errors can lead to devastating consequences for patients and for nurses careers. However it is an integral part of a nurses role, as a result this article aims to help remind you how to avoid Medication Administration Errors.
Do not
- Do not administer or dispense medications if you are an
unqualified agency worker.
- Do not administer Intravenous Medications without supplying
Geneva Health with written documentation that the Trust you are
working for, has authorised you to do so.
- Do not administer medications that has been prepared by another
registered nurse, which you have not witnessed. Preparations, doses
and rates must be calculated by two Registered Nurses. Both
Registered Nurses must also be present during the administration of
the prepared medication.
Do
- Establish responsibilities for the administration of
medications with the nurse in charge.
- Fully document all actions in the patient's personal file.
- Obtain the patients drug chart and re-confirm consent to
administer verbally with the patient.
- Obtain required prescribed medication in accordance with drug
chart instructions.
- Confirm the prescribing name (generic or brand) dose, timing
and frequency, expiry date of the prescription and medication and
route of administration.
- If you are administering a medication that you do not know,
confirm with the local drug publication. For example the British
National Formulary (BNF).
- Prior to administrating, reconfirm any allergies and the date
of birth of the patient to confirm identity.
In addition for Controlled Medications (Controlled
Drugs)
- Establish the need to administer controlled medications (CD's)
by assessment of patient's condition.
In addition for Medications in the Home
- In emergency circumstances Registered General Nurses may be
required to prepare medications outside of these guidelines.
Relevant paperwork must be completed following the incident.
In the event of an Adverse Incident:
Report the incidents to the nurse in charge of the ward/unit and
Geneva
Health.
Examples of such adverse incidents are;
- Drug errors.
- Patients refusing medication.
- The condition of the patients condition deteriorating.