15 Jul Medication Errors Care Workers Should Watch For

Errors with medicines can happen quickly and go unnoticed. Knowing the most common errors with medicines will help to recognise and prevent them.

Wrong Dose on the Chart

Double check the prescribed dose of the medication against the dose you are about to administer. A simple error of a decimal point could result in 10 times the intended dose of medication being administered to a resident. Just because a chart has been used before does not mean that it is correct.

Similar-Sounding Drug Names

Some medicines have very similar names, for example hydroxyzine and hydralazine. Make sure you read the full name of the medicine and don’t just go for the first few letters. If you are unsure of the name of the medicine, check with a more experienced colleague before administering it.

Missed Signatures and Records If you are looking for Safe handling of medication, see https://www.tidaltraining.co.uk/health-and-social-care-courses/safe-handling-of-medication-training.

A missed signature is not just a matter of misplaced paperwork. It is proof that a medicine has or has not been given. A record should be signed at the time of administration, not hours later when the facts have been forgotten. The safe handling of medicines guidance from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (2010) highlights accurate, contemporaneous records as a core standard for safe medicine administration.

Overlooked Expiry Dates

Expired medicines can be unsafe and ineffective. Make a habit of checking the date of expiry when you pick up a box of medicines. Don’t assume that just because a box of medicines has been there before that the date of expiry is still valid.

Poor Storage Conditions

The same thought should be given to the storage of medicines. A number of medicines are stored in the fridge and others need to be kept in the dark and/or protected from moisture. Safe administration of medicines is not just about careful handing of the tablets/medicines, it is also about safe storage of them as well.

Catching a few errors along the way can stop harm coming to residents.