An intervention to improve inpatient medication management: a before and after study

• Published in: Journal of nursing management Vol. 22; no. 3; pp. 286 - 294
• Main Authors: Xu, Cuirong, Li, Guohong, Ye, Nanyuan, Lu, Yanyan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.04.2014; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Crisis Intervention - methods; Humans; management strategy; medication administration; medication error; Medication Errors - nursing; Medication Errors - prevention & control; Medication Systems, Hospital - standards; Nursing; patient safety; Patient Safety - standards; Safety Management - methods; patient safety; medication administration; nursing; management strategy; medication error
• ISSN: 0966-0429; 1365-2834
• DOI: 10.1111/jonm.12231

Aim To optimise medication administration, prevent medication errors and improve inpatient safety. Background Interventions are needed to reduce medication‐related errors and to improve patient safety. Method A five‐point management intervention strategy was developed and implemented. A quasi‐experimental design was used to examine its effects. Results Comparing pre‐intervention data with post‐intervention data, the rate of accurate compliance with medication policies and procedures increased from 86.7% (645/744 doses observed) to 97.5% (725/744). The success rate of medication administration procedures increased from 94.0% (466/496 doses observed) to 96.8% (480/496). Nurse‐initiated medication error reports/total medication error reports increased from 77.1% (101/131) to 95.1% (58/61). Rate of inpatient satisfaction with medication increased from 92.1% (3427/3720) to 98.3% (3656/3720). Complaints related to nursing medication administration decreased from 23 to 6 (73.9% reduction). Conclusion The five‐point management intervention strategy improved inpatient medication safety: medication errors were reduced, nurses' awareness and skills of medication safety enhanced, inpatient satisfaction improved. However, randomised controlled trials are needed to test its effectiveness. Implications for nursing management A systematic approach is vital to address the issues of medication errors and patient safety.