Here are ways to avoid common errors:- Avoid distractions when preparing medication.
- Avoid conversations while preparing medication.
- Only administer medications that you prepare.
- Only pour or prepare medication from containers that have full labels that
are easy to read. - Don’t transfer drugs from one container to another container.
- Don’t pour medications directly into your hand.
- Don’t give medications that have expired.
- Don’t guess about medication and doses. Always ask the prescriber.
- Don’t administer drugs that are discolored, have sediment, or are cloudy
unless this is a normal state for the medication. - Don’t leave medications by the bedside or with visitors.
- Keep medications in clear sight.
- Don’t give medication if the patient says he/she has allergies to the
drug or the drug group or if the patient says it does not look the same as
the drug they normally take. - Use both the patient’s name and patient’s number on the identification
band to identify the patient. - Don’t administer medication with food or beverages unless the medication
can be given with food and beverages.
PROPERLY DISPOSE OF MEDICATION
Hospitals have strict policies that govern how unused medications and supplies
used to administer medication are handled. Here are steps typically found in
hospital policies.
- Don’t recap needles.
- Discard needles and syringes in an appropriate container that prevents
others from receiving a needle prick. - Dispose of medication in the sink or toilet and not in the trash.
- Return controlled substances to the pharmacy.
- Dispose of controlled substances in the presence of another licensed health-
care worker who will sign as a witness to the disposal. - Discard unused solutions from ampules before discarding the ampule.
CHAPTER 5 Medication Administration^91