1. Good Shepherd Health Care System
Lesli Scharbrough, RN, MSN

2.  2013 CAH National Patient Safety Goal #3 is
Medication Safety
 More of a focus now than ever before
 7,000 deaths each year related to medication errors
 Focus on system not individuals
 Used to be “5 Rights” now up to 8 and some reports
show 10 Rights that should be observed

3.  1. Right Patient
 2. Right Medication
 3. Right Dose
 4. Right Route
 5. Right time
 6. Right Documentation
 7. Right Reason
 8. Right Response

4.  Check name on order & the patient
 Use 2 identifiers
 Ask patient to ID him/herself
 When available, use technology

5.  Check the medication label
 Check the order

6.  Check the order
 Confirm appropriateness
 If necessary, calculate the dose
 Have another nurse calculate as well

7.  Again, check appropriateness of route ordered
 Confirm that pt. can have a medication by this route

8.  Check the frequency of the medication
 Double check that you are giving the ordered med at
the correct time
 Confirm time of last dose

9.  Document AFTER giving the medication
 Chart time, route, and any other specific information
 EG: site of an injection or
 Lab value or vital sign needed before administration

10.  Confirm the rationale for the medication
 History
 Why is patient taking this medication
 Revisit the reasons for long-term medication use

11.  Make sure that the desired effect is achieved
 If antihypertensive given did BP improve?
 Document the monitoring and any other interventions