MEDICATION ERRORS: PREVENTING ERRORS IN ACUTE CARE

Course overview

Risk for medical errors is increased on acute care units because nurses who work in these units must often juggle the needs of multiple patients at one time and manage frequent interruptions during medication preparation and administration. Medication errors can originate in any one of the four steps of the medication use process: (1) Prescribing, (2) Transcribing, (3) Dispensing, and (4) Administration.This continuing education module is designed to give the reader/learner an increased understanding of how to prevent medication errors in the acute care setting. Readers may explore any or all of the topics. One contact hour of continuing education credit is available for those who successfully complete the post-test and evaluation form.