Reducing Medication Errors in Nursing Annotated Bibliography

Ivette Banda

NHS-FPX4000- Developing a Health Care Perspective

May 15, 2023

Inquiry Topic: What programs and strategies reduce medication errors in nursing and are most effective in enhancing patient safety?

 

 

 

Reducing Medication Errors in Nursing Annotated Bibliography

Alandajani, A., Khalid, B., Ng, Y. G., & Banakhar, M. (2022). Knowledge and attitudes regarding medication errors among nurses: A cross-sectional study in major Jeddah hospitals. Nursing Reports, 12(4), 1023–1039.

The article examines the knowledge and attitudes of nurses regarding medication errors in four major hospitals. The researchers conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate the level of knowledge and attitudes among nurses toward medication errors to identify potential gaps and areas for improvement in medication safety practices. The study utilized a questionnaire-based survey to collect data from a sample of nurses working in four different hospitals in Jeddah. A total of 408 nurses participated in the study, and all were included in the data analysis. The questionnaire included items related to demographic information, knowledge about medication errors, and attitudes toward reporting and preventing errors. Findings from the study support the validity of the study’s research design and methodology. The article is relevant to my research as it elucidates the prevalence of medication errors and associated factors among nurses in a major nation (Saudi Arabia), and the researchers’ findings emphasize the needed training and continuous education to improve nurses’ knowledge and attitudes toward medication errors.

 

McLeod, M., Karampatakis, G. D., Heyligen, L., McGinley, A., & Franklin, B. D. (2019). The impact of implementing a hospital electronic prescribing and administration system on clinical pharmacists’ activities – a mixed methods study. BMC Health Services Research, 19.

This article examines how implementing electronic prescribing and medication administration (ePA) systems affects pharmacists’ activities and their perception of medication safety risks. While previous research has focused primarily on patient safety, this study aims to fill the gap by investigating the impact on staff, particularly pharmacists. The study employs a mixed methods approach and combines direct quantitative observations and qualitative semi-structured interviews. The quantitative aspect involves observing ward pharmacists before and after the ePA implementation, using work activity sampling to assess task allocation, interactions, and task locations. The qualitative component involves interviews to explore pharmacists’ perceptions of changes in ward activities, interactions with patients and healthcare professionals, task locations, and medication errors. The study’s findings reveal that the introduction of ePA systems brings about changes in pharmacists’ activities. For example, task duration analysis indicates an increase in the time spent screening inpatient medication while the time spent searching for paper drug charts or computers decreases.

The article’s implications for reducing medication errors in nursing practice lie in its insights regarding collaboration and interaction among nurses and pharmacists. Enhancing collaboration and effective communication among these professionals is crucial in minimizing medication errors and ensuring safe medication practices. By considering the effects of ePA systems on pharmacists’ activities and their perceptions of medication safety risks, nursing practitioners can gain valuable insights into how technology implementation may impact their practice. Understanding the changes in task allocation, workflow, and interactions can help nurses adapt their practices to maintain patient safety. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of effective interdisciplinary collaboration in reducing medication errors, emphasizing the need for open communication and teamwork between nurses and pharmacists. This study’s findings contribute to the broader goal of reducing medication errors in nursing practice by providing insights into the impact of ePA systems on pharmacists’ activities and perceptions. By acknowledging and implementing the lessons learned from this research, nursing professionals can enhance medication safety through improved collaboration, communication, and workflow adjustments.

 

Ratanto, Sri Hariyati, R. T., Mediawati, A. S., & Eryando, T. (2021). The effectiveness of electronic medication administration record: A systematic review. International Journal of Nursing Education, 13(3), 97–103.

This article is relevant to nursing practice and the reduction of medication errors as it focuses on the effect of electronic medication administration systems. Understanding the impact of these systems on medication administration is crucial for nurses who play a significant role in medication management. This article outlines the methodology and search strategies used to identify relevant research articles on the effect of electronic medication administration systems. The study searched electronic databases from January 1, 2014, to October 31, 2018, using various research journal databases such as Google Scholar, EBSCO, ProQuest, Science Direct, PubMed, and Willey. The search keywords used were “effect OR impact AND electronic medication administration record” and “effect OR impact AND barcode medication administration.” The article’s quality assessment used the effective public health practice project (EPHPP) and the Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice criteria. The journals were categorized into levels I, II, III, and IV based on their adherence to the inclusion criteria and specific aspects related to the application of electronic medication administration records. Among the 23 journals reviewed, 5 were categorized as level II, while 18 were categorized as level III.

 

The results of the article search yielded a total of 772 articles from the journal database. After the identification, screening, and eligibility process, 23 articles were obtained and analyzed. By investigating the effect of electronic medication administration systems, the article provides insights into how such systems may contribute to medication safety and error reduction.

Nurses can benefit from understanding the potential benefits and challenges associated with these systems and any unintended consequences that may arise. In summary, this article contributes to the body of knowledge on electronic medication administration systems and their impact on nursing practice. By examining various aspects, such as workflow, interprofessional collaboration, safety features, and technology integration, the findings can guide nurses in optimizing medication administration processes, fostering a safety culture, and reducing medication errors.

 

In summary, this annotated bibliography underscores the importance of nurse education, effective use of technology, collaboration among healthcare professionals, and the value of comprehensive research reviews in addressing medication errors in nursing practice.