This program is designed for experienced registered nurses and therefore recognises fundamental knowledge the experienced nurse brings to the learning environment.
We present this program using a clinical scenario that will require the participants to recognise safe and unsafe practice. The scenario may be confronting at times as we challenge the participants to reflect upon unsafe practices that may have become common within their work environment.
Drug calculations are often the primary focus of medication administration updates and competency assessments. Although extremely important, the ability to calculate medication doses accurately is but one of a multitude of factors that lead to safe practice in medication administration. The drug calculation section is a review of the formulae in common calculations, rather than an intensive maths skills program.
The intention is not only to assess the participant's theoretical knowledge of drug administration, but to also encourage nurses to reflect upon the decisions and actions they make on a daily basis. We hope this program results in discussion and debate amongst the nursing staff, and will ultimately lead to best practice in drug administration.
This program should be used as an adjunct to the organisation's policies and procedures.
Aims and Objectives
The aim of this program is to assist the registered nurse to maintain and demonstrate theoretical knowledge related to safe practice in drug administration.
At the completion of this program participants will demonstrate the ability to:
- Relate the five rights of drug administration to clinical examples
- State common factors that can lead to medication errors
- Recognise unsafe drug administration practices
- Recognise inappropriate or unclear orders
- Identify appropriate actions to minimise risk of medication errors.
- Calculate accurate drug dosages and intravenous rates using appropriate formulae
- Reflect upon own practices in drug administration
