Document Type
A3
Publication Date
10-2018
Institution/Department
Critical Care Medicine, Nursing, Maine Medical Center
MeSH Headings
medication safety, patient safety, intensive care, academic tertairy medical center, patient, visitor, quality improvement, root cause analysis
Abstract
A PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FOR INCREASED BEDSIDE MEDICATION SAFETY
The convenience of having certain medications directly available at bedside has long been a priority for a medical intensive care nursing team in an academic tertiary medical center.
However, it was apparent to new staff and leadership that there was a lack of awareness and interest in securing medications within the department. This posed a risk to patients, families, visitors and colleagues.
Baseline metrics on patient safety were collected and a root cause analysis was conducted. Countermeasures included increased education of medication safety as well as a instituting a KPI which read that 100% of the time all medications would be secured.
Since the implementation of the unit’s medication safety and quality improvement project, metrics have demonstrated an improvement in medication safety knowledge and practice.
Next steps include continued improvement in medication handling practices to ensure a culture of safety and increased perception of safety by staff, patients & visitors.
Recommended Citation
Stankiewicz, Natasha; Archibald, Jonathan; SCU 2; Parker, Mark; Tyzik, Stephen; Nayak, Suneela; Hanselman, Ruth; and Sparks, Amy, "Increasing Bedside Medication Safety in an Intensive Care Setting" (2018). Operational Transformation. 9.
https://knowledgeconnection.mainehealth.org/opex/9
Included in
Critical Care Nursing Commons, Health and Medical Administration Commons, Nursing Administration Commons, Pharmacy Administration, Policy and Regulation Commons
