1
Improvement Plan Tool Kit
Name
Capella University
NHS-FPX 4020
Tutor
November 2023
, 2
Introduction
Medication mistakes pose a serious risk to the health of patients receiving medical
treatment, which is why patient safety is of the utmost importance in the healthcare industry.
Like many other healthcare facilities, St. Mary's Hospital must deal with the problem of reducing
the dangers brought on by prescription mistakes. A multidisciplinary strategy that incorporates
evidence-based techniques, interdisciplinary cooperation, and the exploitation of valuable
resources is necessary to address this problem in its entirety. We examine a carefully chosen
range of literature-based resources in this thorough investigation, each of which offers tips and
tactics for improving drug safety at St. Mary's Hospital. These materials include a variety of
treatments, from cutting-edge technical solutions like bar-coding technology to the significance
of patient involvement and interprofessional cooperation with pharmacists. Since nurses are vital
to the success of these programs since they are major participants in medicine administration, it
is imperative that they comprehend and make efficient use of these resources. The goal of this
research is to make it evident how beneficial these tools are for lowering medication errors-
related patient safety concerns for St. Mary's Hospital and its nursing staff. By harnessing these
resources, the hospital can work toward a safer and more effective medication management
system, ultimately improving the quality of patient care and outcomes.
Necessary Resources
To bolster the efficacy and sustainability of a safety improvement initiative aimed at
reducing medication errors in St. Mary's Hospital, tapping into several invaluable resources is
paramount. Berdot et al. (2021) emphasize the effectiveness of a 'do not interrupt' vest during
medication administration. As a potential resource, the vest can serve as a visual tool,
significantly reducing distractions and interruptions during critical times of drug dispensation.
, 3
Highlighting the significance of medication reconciliation, Chiewchantanakit et al. (2020)
underscore the need for systematic methods to cross-verify patients' medication lists, especially
during transitions of care. Live training's impact is explored by Grant et al. (2020), hinting at the
need for recurrent and practical hands-on sessions for staff to better grasp medication
management practices. By discussing the integration of pharmacists into primary care teams,
Hayhoe et al. (2019) indicate the potential benefits of having pharmacy experts in close
collaboration with nursing and medical teams to ensure accurate medication administration.
Hutton et al. (2021) identify bar-coding technology as a robust tool to minimize
medication errors. Implementing this technology at St. Mary's Hospital could significantly
streamline the medication dispensation process and reduce human errors. James et al. (2020)
point to the connection between nurses' cognitive effectiveness and sleep health. Ensuring
optimal shift rotations and sufficient rest for nurses can play a pivotal role in minimizing
medication errors. Jeong & Park (2022) bring to the fore the idea of patient-nurse partnerships,
suggesting that empowering patients with information can serve as an additional check in the
medication administration process. Koyama et al. (2020) emphasized the act of double-checking
as a potent method to ensure accuracy, stressing the need for a two-person verification system for
high-risk medications. Expanding on bar-code medication administration, Owens et al. (2020)
illustrate its success in emergency departments, indicating its potential broader applicability.
Mogharbel et al. (2021) noted that the computerized physician order entry system's usage
by physicians can be crucial in reducing prescription errors, offering an electronic interface that
can be interlinked with the pharmacy and nursing systems. By identifying key strategies in
preventing medication errors, Salar et al. (2020) can guide the hospital in understanding
foundational elements in a comprehensive medication safety plan. Color-coding, as discussed by
Improvement Plan Tool Kit
Name
Capella University
NHS-FPX 4020
Tutor
November 2023
, 2
Introduction
Medication mistakes pose a serious risk to the health of patients receiving medical
treatment, which is why patient safety is of the utmost importance in the healthcare industry.
Like many other healthcare facilities, St. Mary's Hospital must deal with the problem of reducing
the dangers brought on by prescription mistakes. A multidisciplinary strategy that incorporates
evidence-based techniques, interdisciplinary cooperation, and the exploitation of valuable
resources is necessary to address this problem in its entirety. We examine a carefully chosen
range of literature-based resources in this thorough investigation, each of which offers tips and
tactics for improving drug safety at St. Mary's Hospital. These materials include a variety of
treatments, from cutting-edge technical solutions like bar-coding technology to the significance
of patient involvement and interprofessional cooperation with pharmacists. Since nurses are vital
to the success of these programs since they are major participants in medicine administration, it
is imperative that they comprehend and make efficient use of these resources. The goal of this
research is to make it evident how beneficial these tools are for lowering medication errors-
related patient safety concerns for St. Mary's Hospital and its nursing staff. By harnessing these
resources, the hospital can work toward a safer and more effective medication management
system, ultimately improving the quality of patient care and outcomes.
Necessary Resources
To bolster the efficacy and sustainability of a safety improvement initiative aimed at
reducing medication errors in St. Mary's Hospital, tapping into several invaluable resources is
paramount. Berdot et al. (2021) emphasize the effectiveness of a 'do not interrupt' vest during
medication administration. As a potential resource, the vest can serve as a visual tool,
significantly reducing distractions and interruptions during critical times of drug dispensation.
, 3
Highlighting the significance of medication reconciliation, Chiewchantanakit et al. (2020)
underscore the need for systematic methods to cross-verify patients' medication lists, especially
during transitions of care. Live training's impact is explored by Grant et al. (2020), hinting at the
need for recurrent and practical hands-on sessions for staff to better grasp medication
management practices. By discussing the integration of pharmacists into primary care teams,
Hayhoe et al. (2019) indicate the potential benefits of having pharmacy experts in close
collaboration with nursing and medical teams to ensure accurate medication administration.
Hutton et al. (2021) identify bar-coding technology as a robust tool to minimize
medication errors. Implementing this technology at St. Mary's Hospital could significantly
streamline the medication dispensation process and reduce human errors. James et al. (2020)
point to the connection between nurses' cognitive effectiveness and sleep health. Ensuring
optimal shift rotations and sufficient rest for nurses can play a pivotal role in minimizing
medication errors. Jeong & Park (2022) bring to the fore the idea of patient-nurse partnerships,
suggesting that empowering patients with information can serve as an additional check in the
medication administration process. Koyama et al. (2020) emphasized the act of double-checking
as a potent method to ensure accuracy, stressing the need for a two-person verification system for
high-risk medications. Expanding on bar-code medication administration, Owens et al. (2020)
illustrate its success in emergency departments, indicating its potential broader applicability.
Mogharbel et al. (2021) noted that the computerized physician order entry system's usage
by physicians can be crucial in reducing prescription errors, offering an electronic interface that
can be interlinked with the pharmacy and nursing systems. By identifying key strategies in
preventing medication errors, Salar et al. (2020) can guide the hospital in understanding
foundational elements in a comprehensive medication safety plan. Color-coding, as discussed by
