Preventing Medication Errors

HendricksRegional Health staff administer an average of 60,000 doses of medication each month. A process of many checks and balances helps to make sure the five “rights” of medication safety are met. That means the right patient gets the right drug in the right dose through the right route at the right time. Learn more by following the pathway medication takes through our hospital:

	Close attention is given to properly labeling and separating “look-alike” and “sound-alike” medicines because they are among the most common reasons for medication errors nationwide.
	Medication is received. Technology helps make sure it is stored in it’s correct home inside the medication carousel system.
	Bulk medications are packaged to create single doses.
	Single doses are then stored in the fully-integrated carousel.
	A pharmacist reviews every order. The pharmacist checks for duplications, interactions, allergic reactions and incorrect dosage amounts.
	Patients play an important role in medication safety. The pharmacist also has access to the patient’s personal medication history. Many patients use a free, downloadable form to track their medicines.
	The patient’s nurse uses eMAR (Electronic Medication Administration Record) technology to verify the medication is approved.
	The nurse can then get the medicine from a dispensing machine on the patient’s floor. These devices resemble vending machines, but with many safeguards.
	The final, two-part step of the verification process happens bedside. The patient’s nurse first scans the medicine. Lastly, the nurse scans the patient’s barcoded bracelet.
	The medicine can now be safely given because: 1. the right patient 2. is getting the right drug 3. in the right dose 4. through the right route 5. at the right time.