Yes we are seeing the same trend. I just did a Medication Error Study/Report for QA and was amazed at the findings. Not only were most people not overly concerned with their errors most felt that the error was really someone else's fault. I just kept stressing that if everyone did the checks for med administration not only would the error not have occurred but the precipitating factor (if one) would have been found and fixed. Which leads me to the next finding--Newer RN's also do not seem to accept accountability for telephone/verbal orders, transcription and associated task errors. Sometimes I wonder if it is the lack of clinical experience in programs today. I know I went to school in the 60's, 3 year program (36 months exactly!!) and we were used and abused but the new way isn't right either. Oh well off my soap box.
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Corey Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2003 8:03 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Medication Errors Y'know, at some point it becomes obvious you can only get so much sugar out of a beet. We are expecting our LPN's to take our duties way too extensive in their beginning months, with way too little hospital experience and way too many patients. It isn't just LPN vs. RN either. The error rate has become outrageous everywhere. There is just so much processing power that can occur at a time, and we have clearly come to expect too much, too quick. Corey ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2003 8:13 PM Subject: Medication Errors > Am I getting too old,is it time to retire?I feel I work at a facility that gives very good care and we have a great reputation in community.,our beds are always filled with a waiting list.Having said all this I am seeing an increase in medication errors on our snf unit as I am the PPS person.As a new grad I remember making only one medication error that blew me away.I was so upset.I am seeing new nurses not too concerned with their mistakes and our DON doesn't appear too worried.In the Northeast where I work we are seeing a growing shortage of nurses esp RNs so we have hired new LPN grads.They are very nice girls but what are they being taught.I am not trying to get into a LPN vs.RN issue.Our choice is to either contract with nsg agencies or hire new nurses and LPNs are who have applied.I know I recently read somewhere about the growing med errors in acute care also[most acute care nurses are RNs]I never thought I would hear myself say that maybe med techs are the answer.Are we asking too much of the nurse giving meds so that they > can't concentrate.I know when I use to do a med pass,I had to pay attention.I didn't want to be interupted during the pass.We have signs on our med carts to not disturb.I am very concerned with this trend I am seeing.Does anyone else have this concern in their facility? > > /---------------------------------------------------------- > The Case Mix Discussion Group is a free service of the > American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators > "Committed to the Assessment Professional" > Be sure to visit the AANAC website. Accurate answers to your > questions posted to NAC News and FAQs. > For more info visit us at http://www.aanac.org > -----------------------------------------------------------/ /---------------------------------------------------------- The Case Mix Discussion Group is a free service of the American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators "Committed to the Assessment Professional" Be sure to visit the AANAC website. Accurate answers to your questions posted to NAC News and FAQs. For more info visit us at http://www.aanac.org -----------------------------------------------------------/ /---------------------------------------------------------- The Case Mix Discussion Group is a free service of the American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators "Committed to the Assessment Professional" Be sure to visit the AANAC website. Accurate answers to your questions posted to NAC News and FAQs. For more info visit us at http://www.aanac.org -----------------------------------------------------------/
