MED Error Examples (Specific to Group Homes)

[joliefleur102]

Hello,

I am an RN trainer for an agency that provides group homes for people who have disabilities. Nurses there, do not administer medications but delegate that task to the staff or as we call them residential counselors. There have been many errors occurring with medication administration. I will be holding additional classes for those people who have had med errors. The class is specific to med errors and the consequences of them. Does anyone have any med error stories that I may share so that the staff will realize the seriousness of med error mistakes. I am only looking for general info, no names no personal information, just examples of errors. I do not need any other info as that would violate HIPPA.

[joliefleur102]

Hopefully, the errors will go down

[eatmysoxRN, ASN, RN]

I think some of the errors that occur most include insulin and pills that are supposed to be split but aren't.

Giving someone a double dose of Coreg can drop their hr fast. It would probably not be caught in a group home unless the patient were symptomatic. Make sure all pills are correct dosages and don't require half or 3/4 to be wasted.

Any injectable should be double checked. Labs and vitals should be up to date. It only takes a minute to get a set of vitals.