medication error

medication error

MEDICATION REFLECTION.

For the purpose of this Reflection I shall be using Gibbs et al (1998) Reflective Cycle.
I find this particular cycle offers me direction for my thought process as to how I perceive Reflections.
Within the working environment I experience my reflection as personal and superficial in its context. I find this cycle allows me to understand the guidelines and structure of the cycle.

On the day in question I arrived for a 14 hour shift, after only experiencing 3-4 hours sleep previously having just finished 2 weeks of nights 24 hours previous.
I began with the Medication round noting that the ward environment was extremely busy and I was not feeling 100%due to feelings of tiredness and exhaustion. However, I continued with the task in hand experiencing constant interruptions, only to find that I had administered 2 x drugs that were omitted for that day.
I am fully aware that as a Nurse administering medications through error is a huge concern and problematic identifying that once a drug has been administered it cannot be taken back.
On reflection I acknowledge that I am the sacred trust between myself and my patients, I am solely responsible for keeping them from harm, unsafe events and occurrences. This most difficult part of this reflection is concerned around forgiving myself for a mistake that could have caused harm, acknowledging the fact that we are all human and mistakes can and do happen.
When researching medication errors I came across a study that indicated that nurses who are constantly interrupted whilst administering medications has a 21.1%increase in errors. Within the study a ‘sterile hour’ was suggested in which medications can go ahead without any interruptions for a minimum of 1 hour. In theory the idealism of this is excellent, however in reality patients can become unwell or doctors require your attention.
On reflection, I am sure that the ward environment will not differ therefore, I am more aware and more...

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