An intervention to improve inpatient medication management: a before and after study

Abstract

Aim: To optimise medication administration, prevent medication errors and improve inpatient safety.

Background: Interventions are needed to reduce medication-related errors and to improve patient safety.

Method: A five-point management intervention strategy was developed and implemented. A quasi-experimental design was used to examine its effects.

Results: Comparing pre-intervention data with post-intervention data, the rate of accurate compliance with medication policies and procedures increased from 86.7% (645/744 doses observed) to 97.5% (725/744). The success rate of medication administration procedures increased from 94.0% (466/496 doses observed) to 96.8% (480/496). Nurse-initiated medication error reports/total medication error reports increased from 77.1% (101/131) to 95.1% (58/61). Rate of inpatient satisfaction with medication increased from 92.1% (3427/3720) to 98.3% (3656/3720). Complaints related to nursing medication administration decreased from 23 to 6 (73.9% reduction).

Conclusion: The five-point management intervention strategy improved inpatient medication safety: medication errors were reduced, nurses' awareness and skills of medication safety enhanced, inpatient satisfaction improved. However, randomised controlled trials are needed to test its effectiveness.

Implications for nursing management: A systematic approach is vital to address the issues of medication errors and patient safety.

Keywords: management strategy; medication administration; medication error; nursing; patient safety.