Medication safety is always a concern with the hospitalized patient. At Community Memorial we have several processes in place to prevent medication errors.
Utilize the patient assignment sheet. Fill it out completely and accurately. Ensure the sheet is available to the RNs by distributing four copies on the unit on your clinical day. Place one down each unit and one at the central station.
Communicate clearly to the nurses and support staff which patients the students will have and what the student will be doing with the patient for the day. This includes student objectives for the day, which student is doing which cares for the day, and when students will be on breaks and reporting off.
Have two licensed nurses verify insulin or heparin prior to administration by a student. The student does not have a license, so the RN and instructor must verify these medications.
Ensure students know and apply the five rights and two patient identifiers prior to giving medications.
Ensure that students and nurses communicate clearly to prevent duplication of medication administration.
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