Medication Labeling
Quarterly Audits
In October 2013, I assumed the role of medication labeling auditor. Throughout each quarter, I audited PACU nurses for proper labeling, usually between 50 to 100 audits. This is a PACU critical success factor because PACU orders require nurses to draw up whole vials of medication and then administer multiple doses to titrate for therapeutic effect; such as managing pain, nausea, anxiety, and shivering. An unlabeled syringe that is not immediately administered is a safety issue because the nurse does not know which patient it belongs to and what the medication is.
The target is 95%. Before October, percentages were below standard and management saw this as an area for improvement. After discussing the issue with Michelle Ballou, Perianesthesia Manager, we agreed that after the third instance of reeducation, nurses would have a documented meeting with management. Since implementing the new standard, rarely do nurses fail to label medications. If someone forgets, I reeducate the standard of medication labeling and document the date.
See below for medication labeling audit results from the last three quarters.
The target is 95%. Before October, percentages were below standard and management saw this as an area for improvement. After discussing the issue with Michelle Ballou, Perianesthesia Manager, we agreed that after the third instance of reeducation, nurses would have a documented meeting with management. Since implementing the new standard, rarely do nurses fail to label medications. If someone forgets, I reeducate the standard of medication labeling and document the date.
See below for medication labeling audit results from the last three quarters.
medlabelingemails.docx | |
File Size: | 1581 kb |
File Type: | docx |
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