Full Answer Section

The patient, family, or population problem that I have chosen to focus on is medication errors. Medication errors are a major patient safety issue, and they can have a significant impact on the quality of care, patient safety, and costs to the system and individual.

Literature Review

A study by the Institute of Medicine found that medication errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States. The study estimated that medication errors cause up to 44,000 deaths each year.

Another study found that medication errors cost the U.S. health care system $3.5 billion each year. The study also found that medication errors can lead to longer hospital stays, increased risk of complications, and decreased patient satisfaction.

Methods

To assess the effect of medication errors on the quality of care, patient safety, and costs to the system and individual, I spent two direct practicum hours working with a patient who had been the victim of a medication error. I also consulted with a subject matter expert on medication safety.

Findings

The patient I worked with had been prescribed a medication that was incompatible with another medication that she was taking. This led to a serious side effect, which required her to be hospitalized. The medication error also caused the patient to have a negative experience with the health care system.

The subject matter expert I consulted with confirmed that medication errors are a major patient safety issue. The expert also explained that medication errors can be caused by a variety of factors, including human error, faulty systems, and inadequate training.

Discussion

The findings of my assessment suggest that medication errors have a significant negative impact on the quality of care, patient safety, and costs to the system and individual. Medication errors can lead to serious side effects, longer hospital stays, increased risk of complications, and decreased patient satisfaction.

Recommendations

To improve patient safety and reduce the number of medication errors, I recommend the following:

• Health care organizations should implement comprehensive medication safety programs.
• Health care providers should receive regular training on medication safety.
• Medications should be labeled clearly and accurately.
• Health care organizations should have systems in place to prevent medication errors from occurring.

Conclusion

Medication errors are a major patient safety issue that can have a significant impact on the quality of care, patient safety, and costs to the system and individual. By implementing the recommendations listed above, health care organizations can improve patient safety and reduce the number of medication errors.

Practicum Experience

My first two practicum hours were spent working with a patient who had been the victim of a medication error. The patient was a 75-year-old woman who had been prescribed a medication that was incompatible with another medication that she was taking. This led to a serious side effect, which required her to be hospitalized.

I spent the first hour of my practicum hour getting to know the patient and her family. I also reviewed her medical records and discussed her medication regimen with her doctor. During the second hour, I spent time with the patient and her family, providing emotional support and answering their questions about the medication error.

I learned a great deal from my experience working with this patient. I learned about the importance of medication safety and the impact that medication errors can have on patients and their families. I also learned about the importance of providing emotional support to patients who have been the victims of medication errors.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with this patient and her family. I believe that my experience will help me to be a more effective nurse in the future.