Medication errors continue to occur at an alarming despite the increased awareness of the risks associated with unsafe medication practices. In response to this, The World Health Organisation (WHO) launched it’s global campaign on patient safety in 2017 called, ‘Medication without Harm’ with an aim to reduce the global burden of medication related harm by 50%.
Medication error statistics
There are approximately 237 million ‘medication errors’ recorded in England alone per year. While three quarters of these errors made are deemed to be clinically insignificant, ‘avoidable’ drug errors cost the NHS £98.5 million annually. Medication errors can occur at any stage right from the prescription stage but the majority of them mainly happen during administration which can cause more adverse effects to patients. 66 million of these are potentially clinically significant errors.
Avoidable adverse reactions cost approximately £98.5 million per year and are directly linked to approximately 1700 deaths per year both in the primary and secondary care sector (National Health Service England, 2021).
The causes of medication errors within health and social care systems have been studied intensively over the years, and various strategies have been implemented to lessen their occurrences. Some of the main factors that have contributed to these errors include, communication failures, time pressures low staffing levels.
Since increased drug errors are responsible for increased mortality rates within health care systems, increased duration of hospitalization and expenses, all members of the healthcare system including nurses and other health care professionals have a responsibility to work in a reflective manner in order to reduce medication errors. Therefore, it is vital to ensure that all Health and Social Care workers administering medication do it safely and receive adequate training, information, and updates on administering medication.
Our Medication Administration course is designed to empower the carer on how to safely administer medication in accordance to the CQC and various other governing bodies. It is suitable for carers and nurses that are already in the health and social care sector and are interested in developing their skills even further.
The 10 rights of drug administration
Our medication administration training highlights the10 rights of Drug Administration which must be followed when dispensing medication. These are.
- Right Drug –
Check the name of the medication, brand names should be avoided.
Check the expiry date.
Check the prescription.
Make sure medications, especially antibiotics, are reviewed regularly. - Right dose –
Check the prescription.
Confirm appropriateness of the dose using the BNF or local guidelines.
If necessary, calculate the dose and have another nurse calculate the dose as well. - Right Client –
• Check the name on the prescription and client wristband.
• Ideally, use 2 or more identifiers and ask the patient to identify themselves.
• You can also use technology such as bar-code systems if available. - Right Time –
• Check the frequency of the prescribed medication.
• Double-check that you are giving the prescribed at the correct time.
• Confirm when the last dose was given. Right Route
- Check the prescription.
- Confirm appropriateness of the dose using the BNF or local guidelines.
- If necessary, calculate the dose and have another nurse calculate the dose as well.
6.Right to refuse – Mental Capacity Act 2005 assessment
- Check the prescription.
- Confirm appropriateness of the dose using the BNF or local guidelines.
- If necessary, calculate the dose and have another nurse calculate the dose as well.
7.Right Documentation –
- Check the prescription.
- Confirm appropriateness of the dose using the BNF or local guidelines.
- If necessary, calculate the dose and have another nurse calculate the dose as well.
8.Right Assessment –
- Check the prescription.
- Confirm appropriateness of the dose using the BNF or local guidelines.
- If necessary, calculate the dose and have another nurse calculate the dose as well.
9.Right Education – Patients are educated routinely to ensure understanding of indication for therapy, intended outcomes, and signs and symptoms of adverse events. Clear Communication strategies and communication of medication regimen modification.
10.Right Evaluation –
- Check the prescription.
- Confirm appropriateness of the dose using the BNF or local guidelines.
- If necessary, calculate the dose and have another nurse calculate the dose as well.
Who should do this course?
- Health Care Assistants and social care managers
- Residential Support Workers
- Domiciliary Care Workers
- Carers
- Mental Health Nurses
- General Nurses
- Operation Department Practitioners
- Doctors
