Pharmacology Clear & Simple Pharmacology Clear & Simple

Nina Beaman, MS, RN,C, CMA(AAMA)

Chapter 1Chapter 1

Patient Safety

ObjectivesObjectives

Define all key terms. Discuss the responsibility of allied health

professionals in administering medications. List the six rights of medication administration. Discuss the ethics of medication administration. State the circumstances when you would call a

poison control center. Describe how to respond to patient’s allergic

reactions.

Patient’s RightsPatient’s Rights

Give the drug to the right patient.Give the right drug.Give the drug in the right dose.Give the drug at the right time.Give the drug by the right route.Chart the drug using the right documentation.

Right PatientRight Patient

It is important to give the medication to the correct patient.

In the hospital, the patient may have an identification bracelet on the wrist.

In the medical office, you will need to identify the patient by sight or unique information.

Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking

You enter the reception area of the medical office to look for the patient whose name is on the medication. How can you be certain of giving the medication to the right patient? Because patients are sometimes confused or hard of hearing, how can you be certain that the patient who responds is the right one?

Right DrugRight Drug

The wrong drug can have a dangerous effect.

You must check the name of the drug at least 3 times.

Arrange drugs in organized manner in office to avoid confusion.

Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking

What is the safest way to arrange drugs in a drug cabinet to avoid medication errors?

Right DoseRight Dose

Check dosage 3 times. If the dosage seems unreasonable, notify

MD before giving.Dose may be adapted to weight of patient.

Right TimeRight Time

Give stat orders immediately.Develop appropriate time schedule .Depends on medication, order, and

convenience to patient.

Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking

What kinds of drugs are usually prescribed to be given at equal intervals throughout the day? Explain why these drugs must be given at exact intervals.

Right RouteRight Route

Route important to dosageConvenienceAvailability of drug for that routeSpeed of effectComfortOther circumstances

Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking

Rachael Smith has been told to be npo after midnight before an x-ray series of her bowels. She calls to see if she should take her morning dose of insulin. An office assistant says she should take it because insulin is not given by mouth. If you had taken her call, what would you have said or done?

Right DocumentationRight Documentation

If it has not been documented, it has not been done.

Follow office protocol.Maintain legal records.Correct errors without deleting.

Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking

Imagine that you gave Cecile Massé 1 mL of a flu shot in the left deltoid muscle. You took it from a container that said lot #1234567, which expires on 12/01/10. How would you document this procedure?

EthicsEthics

Information—dangerous abbreviationsConsentPrivacy

Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking

While entering a crowded reception room, a medical assistant calls back to a colleague that she has to tell a patient that her birth control samples are ready. Immediately afterward, she calls the patient’s name aloud. Is this appropriate? How might she have better handled patient confidentiality?

Emergency ResponsibilitiesEmergency Responsibilities

Toxic and poison responseAllergiesAnaphylaxis

Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking

Kendall McGlasson is beginning a new prescription. Before she leaves the office, what would you tell her about potential adverse effects?

SummarySummary

What new piece of information in this chapter were you most interested to learn?

What questions do you still have about the information in this chapter?

Return to Objectives to determine extent of learning.

Credits

Publisher: Margaret Biblis

Acquisitions Editor: Andy McPhee

Developmental Editor: Yvonne N. Gillam

Production Manager: Samuel A. Rondinelli

Manager, Electronic Development: Kirk Pedrick

Technical Project Manager, EP: Frank Musick

Design Associate, EP: Sandra Glennie

The publisher is not responsible for errors or omission or for consequences from application of information in this presentation, and makes no warranty, expressed or implied, in regards to its content. Any practice described in this presentation should be applied by the reader in accordance with professional standards of care used with regard to the unique circumstances that may apply in each situation.