Applying Library Research Skills For Healthcare Professional

Applying Library Research Skillshealthcare Professionals Such As Nurse

Applying Library Research Skills Healthcare professionals such as nurses and doctors are in danger of making errors, very much like any other individual in the world. The difference between healthcare professionals and others is that these mistakes can have destroying outcomes. Some simple mistakes include neglecting to break a pill in half or as serious as administering a medication to the wrong patient. Guaranteeing that patients are protected should be the main goal that healthcare professionals should follow. One of the top issues in healthcare facilities such as hospitals and long-term facilities is medication errors.

One of the big topics learned in nursing school is the seven medication administration rights. These rights consist of the right documentation, right route, right reason, right medication, right time, right patient, and the right dose. Each of these administration rights helps prevent serious harm such as death to a patient. As a registered nurse, it is my responsibility to follow these rights when caring for my patients. Before administering, it is my duty to have the correct order for the medication before giving it.

I must understand how each medication works as well. Along with my duty to act out the seven administrative rights, the nursing facility software can prevent medication errors but should not be relied on. Identifying Academic Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles I searched for peer-reviewed journal articles relevant to my topic utilizing Harvard University Library’s databases. The search engine Summon was located in the library database, which helped me search. Then I searched keywords to help with my search, such as “medication errors” and “medication safety.” After placing my keywords in, I refined my search to show “peer-reviewed” and journals published in the last five years.

Having articles published in the last five years makes research credible and up to date. Lastly, I read through articles to find relevant ones to my topic that bring forward a resolution to the problem. Assessing Credibility and Relevance of Information Sources Important steps were taken to provide my article with credible sources. Before choosing my articles, I used these steps while refining my search. I made sure that my search only gave me peer-reviewed articles.

To ensure that the information was up to date, I picked articles published in the last five years. Again, I made sure that the topics were relevant and resolved my problem. Many articles were found relating to "medication errors," "medication administration," and "patient safety."

Paper For Above instruction

The critical issue of medication errors in healthcare settings poses a significant risk to patient safety, highlighting the necessity for healthcare professionals, especially nurses, to be well-versed in best practices for medication administration and error prevention. Medication errors can occur at various stages, including prescribing, transcription, dispensing, and administration, with the potential for severe consequences such as adverse drug reactions, increased morbidity, or mortality (Gillespie et al., 2020). Nurses, often at the frontline of medication delivery, play a vital role in safeguarding patients and preventing errors through strict adherence to established protocols and continuous education.

Understanding the "seven rights" of medication administration—right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, right time, right documentation, and right reason—is foundational to minimizing errors (Warnock et al., 2021). These principles serve as a practical framework that nurses regularly apply during medication rounds. However, reliance solely on these rights is insufficient without integrating supportive technological tools such as electronic health records (EHRs) and barcoding systems, which have demonstrated efficacy in reducing medication errors (Poon et al., 2019). While technology is beneficial, it should complement, not replace, vigilant clinical judgment and thorough verification processes.

A review of peer-reviewed literature reveals several strategies to improve medication safety. Latimer et al. (2017) emphasize early educational interventions for nursing students to foster safety awareness and knowledge. Their study underscores the importance of embedding medication safety modules and simulation-based training early in nursing curricula, which enhances competence and confidence in error prevention. Similarly, Dirik et al. (2018) highlight the significance of fostering a no-blame culture within healthcare teams to improve error reporting. Nurses are often hesitant to report mistakes due to fear of blame or punishment, which hampers organizational learning and systemic improvements. Implementing a non-punitive reporting environment encourages transparency and contributes to identifying error patterns, ultimately leading to targeted safety interventions.

Research by Gates et al. (2019) further illustrates that electronic prescribing and charting systems have significantly decreased prescribing errors, especially in pediatric populations where dosing complexities are high. Electronic systems incorporate decision support features that caution prescribers about possible drug interactions or incorrect dosages, thereby reducing human error. Conversely, Sarfati et al. (2018) explore the efficacy of simulation-based training programs, which provide a risk-free environment to practice medication administration scenarios. These simulations bolster clinical skills, promote critical thinking, and increase error awareness among healthcare professionals.

The insights gained from these articles collectively emphasize the importance of a multifaceted approach to medication error prevention—combining education, technological support, culture change, and continuous quality improvement initiatives. Implementing comprehensive training early in professional education ensures that future nurses develop a safety-oriented mindset. The integration of technological solutions assists in verification and double-checking processes, reducing reliance on memory and manual tasks. Cultivating a no-blame organizational culture encourages reporting and learning from errors, instead of hiding them, thus facilitating system-wide enhancements.

In conclusion, addressing medication errors requires sustained efforts across multiple levels within healthcare organizations. Emphasizing education from the student phase, leveraging technology appropriately, fostering open communication, and adopting systemic safety protocols are essential strategies to improve patient outcomes. As healthcare continues to evolve with advancing technology and increasing complexity, continuous vigilance and a culture of safety remain paramount. The reviewed literature affirms that a proactive, education-focused, and technologically integrated approach will yield meaningful improvements in medication safety.

References

• Dirik, H. F., Samur, M., Seren Intepeler, S., & Hewison, A. (2018). Nurses’ identification and reporting of medication errors. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 27(7-8), 931–938.
• Gillespie, M. J., Williams, M. V., & Jenkins, M. (2020). Strategies to reduce medication errors in hospitals: A systematic review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 107, 103564.
• Gates, P. J., Baysari, M. T., Gazarian, M., Raban, M. Z., Meyerson, S., & Westbrook, J. I. (2019). Prevalence of medication errors among paediatric inpatients: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Drug Safety, 42(11), 1329–1342.
• Latimer, S., Hewitt, J., Stanbrough, R., & McAndrew, R. (2017). Reducing medication errors: Teaching strategies that increase nursing students' awareness of medication errors and their prevention. Nurse Education Today, 52, 7–9.
• Poon, E. G., et al. (2019). Effect of bar-code technology on medication administration safety: A systematic review. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 26(12), 1294–1300.
• Sarfati, L., Ranchon, F., Vantard, N., Schwiertz, V., Larbre, V., Parat, S., Faudel, A., & Rioufol, C. (2018). Human-simulation-based learning to prevent medication error: A systematic review. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 25(1), 11–20.
• Warnock, S., et al. (2021). The efficacy of nursing education interventions in reducing medication errors: A systematic review. British Journal of Nursing, 30(6), 328–335.