Nursing is a responsible profession. It is all about dealing with medicines and drugs.
Nurses need to be extremely cautious as they deal with causes of life and death.
The first few years of the training are daunting for the learners. Therefore, it is recommended to be highly careful while administering medication to the respective patients. Nursing students ask for online assignment homework help if they struggle to get good grades.
In this article, we will dedicatedly focus on 10 essential tips that will help nurses avoid medication errors.
1. Read about the medicines
Medicines are the first thing a nurse deals with in this job. There are an uncountable number of medicines and drugs, and it is impossible to know about all of them at a time. However, due to technological advancement, information is widely available. Nurses should go through various books, the internet and study materials to know more.
Nurses should read about the different types of medicines when they get time. It is their responsibility to read about all the prescribed medicines for the respective patients when they are treating one. When they know the brand and dosage, they can treat the patient more carefully and effectively.
2. Identify your patient always.
Medication errors are a significant concern in many cases. Nurses often fail to identify the patients assigned under their names. This error can lead to extreme hazards. It is essential for nurses to know their patients correctly.
They should be extremely careful about the drug administration chart. They should ask the patient’s name if they cannot remember. If the patient is not in a state to talk, the nurse must verify it from the name tag. This is the first step to being alert.
The nurses should be well aware of the following information
- Name
- Identification number
- Date of birth
- Phone number
- Social Security Number
- Previous medication history
- Previous doctors attending to the patient
3. Be informed about the patient’s allergies
Another crucial point for the nurses to keep in mind is the patient’s allergies. The patient may be allergic to a specific drug. It is pretty likely that the patient has forgotten about it. In such cases, the nurses should gather the information from the previous report or something similar.
If the medicine has already been used due to ignorance, the nurses are expected to immediately inform the doctor. Also, in case the nurse has to introduce a new drug, it is recommended to refer to the patient’s medical history. It will avoid any unavoidable circumstances.
4. Be more attentive to new medication.
Doctors often alter the medicines of patients. It is natural for a nurse to get confused or be ignorant of this medicine change each time. In order to ensure the right medicine, it is advisable to cross-check the newly prescribed drugs with a teammate.
In case you are aware of the allergies and want to avoid any hazards, talk about your concern with the doctors immediately.
Also, keep a note of the following points
- Medicine group
- The Expiry date
- Whether it has been previously used or not
- Whether the drug class confirms tally with the doctor’s prescription etc.
5. Verify the proper drug storage
Nurses, in most cases, have to get involved in some part of the administrative work as well.
A disorganized and scattered drug storage unit gives rise to risk and confusion.
Ensure proper storage, which refers to an adequate amount of medicines stored under the expected temperature. Check each drug’s labels under your charge and determine that you are following the temperature guides. This ensures a proper supply of drugs and their quality.
6. Clarify your doubts
It is pretty likely to get overwhelmed with a new nursing job. Do not hesitate if you are a newly appointed nurse. It is the first step to becoming an efficient professional. Always come up with your questions and doubts, even if you feel uncomfortable or concerned with a prescription.
A new role does not make you less educated. Verifying all the information is the first step to treating your patients safely.
7. Follow the five rights of the medication process.
It is not only about giving the prescribed medicine but also about following some rules. Here are the five most essential rights of the medication rules.
- The right patient,
- The right drug
- The right dosage
- The right time
- The right route
You will learn more about such rules when you decide to take nursing assignment help for your nursing homework.
8. Encourage and participate in the disinfection process
Sterilization is very significant in medical studies. None of the equipment is safe to use unless sterilized. There are constant deposits of germs and other harmful substances like pathogens on medical equipment such as surgical equipment.
Also, our hands, which come in contact with various substances, are not free of germs. Thus it is always advisable to sanitize your hands before touching a patient. It ensures the safety of both patients as well as nurses. When you use disinfectants, you prevent illness from the very first step.
9. Critical Patients are a priority.
Identify the patients who are at a critical stage and prioritize them. For example, a nurse should definitely attend to a patient with a severe burn before a patient who has reached out for arthritis. It is majorly about how well you can handle emergencies and appoint other nurses if necessary in case of emergencies.
10.Be more careful about High Alert Drugs.
When dealing with high alert medicines and drugs, you should be one step more careful. High Alert drugs are significantly powerful and are of different types.
It is better to cross-check with your fellow nurses or even a superior each time you give them to your patients. Learn the names of high alert drugs available in your specialized field and be more confident about their dosage and usage.
Conclusion
A nursing job is the best way for you to feel glorified inside. The happiness underneath this professional life has a long term impact on your body and mind.
Just be a little more careful at each step, and you will be glad to be a part of the service.
