What it means
Errors include the wrong drug, dose, client, route or time, a missed dose, and giving a drug the client is allergic to. They happen at every stage, from a hard-to-read order to a look-alike vial. Safety measures include the rights of medication administration, barcode scanning, two client identifiers, independent double checks for high-alert drugs and avoiding error-prone abbreviations.
For the nurse
If an error happens, check the client first, notify the provider, follow orders to reduce harm, and file a safety report. Reporting helps fix the system that allowed it.
At a glance
| Spanish | error de medicación |
|---|---|
| Also written | medication errors, med error, med errors |
Related terms
The Joint Commission
An independent US organization that inspects and accredits hospitals and other health care organizations against safety and quality standards.
mcg
Microgram: one millionth of a gram, or one thousandth of a milligram.
mg
Milligram: one thousandth of a gram.
medication reconciliation
Comparing a client's full list of current medicines with new orders at each change in care, to find and fix differences.
adverse event
Harm to a client that results from medical care rather than from the client's illness.