It’s an unfortunate reality that medication errors do happen. Even the best nurse can make mistakes, but with medication, the consequences can be deadly. To prevent errors, always verify the patient, the dosage, and ensure the correct timing for administering the medication. Always double-check that the medication for a patient has been transcribed correctly from the physician. Double-check the prescription label and look at the expiration date. Document everything during your shift so that there is a record of who received a dose of medication and when. Good documentation is critical for safety. By following these simple procedures, you can avoid an error that could have an adverse outcome for your patient.
