Learning Objectives
Abbreviation
Administration complication
Administration route mix-up
Allergic reaction
Documentation problem
Dosage error
Drug name confusion
Drug preparation problem
Equipment misuse
Infusion misuse
Insulin error
I.V. therapy mistake
Label confusion
MAR misuse
Order misunderstanding
Patient name mix-up
Patient-teaching failure
Protocol violation
Storage problem
Symbol misinterpretation
Syringe and Tubex problem
Telephone miscommunication
Transcription error
Unfamiliarity and carelessness
Verification failure
Name "5 rights" of drug administration.
List two cardinal rules for administering insulin.
Explain the importance of not leaving substances at a patient's bedside without clear instructions.
Take appropriate action with the drug manufacturer when you see a misleading package label.
Differentiate between the workings of volumetric and nonvolumetric infusion controllers.
Take proper steps to avoid errors in the administration of cancer drugs.
List the three different times when the drug label should be checked.
Describe what a nurse should do when seeing an unclear order.
Explain why metric is a better system to use.
Explain the pitfalls of relying on only one health professional to interpret a drug order.
Explain how one can avoid an error that can occur by injecting medication into the wrong catheter tube.
Follow the proper procedure to avoid complications arising from administering inappropriate dosage of analgesics to patients recovering from anesthetics.
Stress the importance of checking the MAR before giving a drug.
Explain how an order that calls for two tablets should be transcribed in three separate lines.
Evaluation of Individual Objectives
To assess the effectiveness of the course material, we ask that you evaluate your achievement of each learning objective on a scale of A to D (A=excellent, B=good, C=fair, D=unsatisfactory). Please indicate your responses next to each learning objective and return it to us with your completed exam.
Course Outline
Chapter 1. Medical Errors: The Scope of the Problem
An Epidemic of Errors
Where Errors Occur
Costs
Not a New Issue
Public Fears
It’s a Systems Problem
Types of Errors
Preventing Errors
Five Steps to Safer Health Care
Chapter 2. 20 Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors
What Are Medical Errors
What Can You Do? Be Involved in Your Health Care
Medicines
Hospital Stays
Surgery
Other Steps You Can Take
Ways You Can Help Your Family Prevent Medical Errors!
What Are Medical Errors?
What Can You Do?
Chapter 3. Helpful Hints for Preventing Medical Errors
The Problem
Prevention Tips
Ways to Minimize Errors
Thorough and Credible Root Cause Analysis
Common Error Types and "High-Alert" Medications
Target Drugs
Target Procedures
Points in the Process Where Errors Can Occur
Resources at Glance
Chapter 4. Improving Medication Safety
Background
Common Sources of Error
Steps for Improving Medication Safety
Our Sources
Books
Patient Information Brochures
Information on Safe Medication Practices
Successful Practices for Improving Medication Safety
Easily Implemented Changes (Process Design)
Longer-Term Changes (Systems Redesign)
Chapter 5. Reducing Errors in Health Care
Patients at Risk
How Errors Occur
Medication Errors
Surgical Errors
Diagnostic Inaccuracies
System Failures
Improving Patient Safety
Computerized ADE Monitoring
Computer-Generated Reminders for Followup Testing
Standardized Protocols
Promoting Safety
References
Recommendations for Identifying and Learning From Errors in Pediatrics
Chapter 6. Root Cause Analysis
Background
Practice Description
Prevalence and Severity of the Target Safety Problem
Opportunities for Impact
Study Designs
Study Outcomes
Evidence for Effectiveness of the Practice
Potential for Harm
Costs and Implementation
Comment
Authors
REFERENCES
Chapter 7. Fatigue, Sleepiness, and Medical Errors
Introduction
Background
Sleep Deprivation
Night Shifts and Shift Rotation
Prevalence and Severity
Practice Descriptions
Hours of Service
Direction and Speed of Rotation of Shift Work
Improving Sleep: Education About Sleep Hygiene
Lighting at Work
Napping
Medical Therapies
Comment
References
Chapter 8. Mental Health Professionals
The Duty to Protect
Child Abuse and Neglect
"Great course!" - J.B., LMHC, FL
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