PREVENTING MEDICATION ERRORS ‘The most common medication errors include: 1. ” Giving the wrong medication 2. Giving the wrong dose 3. Giving the medicatin at the virong time 4. Giving the medicatioh at the wrong rate §. Using the wrong route of adininistration 6. Omilting @ dose of a medication Other areas where medication errors may occur: 4. ' Poorly written - illegible orders 2. ‘Transcription - transcribed incomectly 3. . Orders not clarified 4. Abbreviations‘ may be misinterpreted 5. Orders not reviewed after transcription 6. Verbal.orders misunderstood Golden Rules of Medication Administration: 4. Administer. a. The right medication b, To the right patient © Inthe right dose d. Atthe right time fe. _ By the right route ‘Complete a patient medication history Know about patient mecicatién allergies Know about medication interactions with other medications or foods ‘Teach the patient about medications Document each medication administered ep Pon ‘Assess the patient efter medications are given especially whein given for the first time, Teach patients about the medications they are taking. Tell them about any possible side effects and importent administration requirements (take with a ful glass 6f water, do npt chew or brock. this medication, etc). ‘Always report medication reactions using the form provided by Pharmacy. Report ALL medication errors. No one can assume responsiblity for an error that you made, A Physician may try to tell you “do not file an Occurrence Report.” However, you are required to fle {an Oceurrence Report for mecication errors. The phsician cannot assume responsiblity for your error, Teks time to read carefully when preparing medications. Alivays take your medication ‘edmhristrtion record with you when eciministering medications. Errors do heppen, bul we can reduce the number of errors by following the Golden Rules.