Administering medication
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Administering Medication: Insights from Recent Research
Prevalence and Benefits of Self-Administration of Medication in Hospitals
Self-Administration in Belgian Hospitals
Self-administration of medication during hospitalization has been shown to improve patient satisfaction, adherence to pharmacotherapy, and self-care competence. A study conducted in 12 Belgian hospitals found that 22% of hospitalized patients self-administered at least one medication, and 13.8% self-administered at least 50% of their total medication. Despite these benefits, the study highlighted a lack of procedures and screening tools to assess patients' competence for self-administration, suggesting that more patients could potentially self-administer their medication if proper systems were in place.
Patients' Perspectives on Self-Administration
Patients generally have a positive attitude towards self-administration of medication in hospitals. A study involving patients with chronic illnesses revealed that most participants favored self-administration, citing benefits such as increased autonomy and better alignment with their home medication routines. Another study found that 83.9% of patients were willing to self-administer their medication during hospitalization, provided they had prior experience and regular evaluations of their competence. These findings underscore the importance of considering patients' views and creating flexible medication regimes that adapt to their lifestyles .
Challenges and Errors in Medication Administration
Medication Administration Errors Among Nurses
Medication administration errors are a significant concern in healthcare settings. A study in Ethiopian tertiary hospitals reported that 68.1% of nurses had committed medication administration errors in the past year. Factors contributing to these errors included inadequate training, lack of guidelines, interruptions during administration, and night shifts. These findings highlight the need for continuous training, clear guidelines, and an environment that minimizes interruptions to improve medication safety.
Reducing Interruptions to Improve Safety
Interruptions during medication administration are a common issue that can lead to errors. A process improvement initiative at Winchester Hospital aimed to reduce these interruptions by implementing Lean Six Sigma tools. The initiative identified several high-level subprocesses, such as verifying medication orders and preparing medications, where interruptions were most frequent. By addressing these issues, the hospital aimed to enhance the efficiency and safety of medication administration.
Strategies to Prevent Medication Administration Errors
Interventions and Technologies
Various interventions have been developed to reduce medication administration errors, including training programs and technology-based solutions like barcode systems. However, a systematic review found no significant difference in error rates between intervention and control groups, indicating that more robust evaluation studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of these interventions.
Home Medication Administration
Errors in home medication administration are also prevalent, particularly among caregivers with low health literacy. Strategies to reduce these errors include using health literacy-informed counseling, providing dosing tools for liquid medications, and leveraging electronic health records for better medication management. These measures can help ensure safer medication practices at home, especially for children with chronic conditions.
Conclusion
Administering medication, whether in hospitals or at home, involves numerous challenges and potential for errors. While self-administration of medication in hospitals shows promise for improving patient outcomes, it requires proper procedures and patient evaluations. Reducing interruptions and providing continuous training for nurses are critical steps to enhance medication safety. Additionally, tailored strategies to support caregivers at home can mitigate medication administration errors, ensuring better health outcomes for patients.
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