As a nurse, you are at the forefront of patient care in any medical healthcare facility. You perform various physical examinations and administer medications for the patients according to their unique cases. Proper documentation is crucial in your daily routine to ensure patients get the necessary care. However, one missed medication log could have severe consequences for your patient’s health and your credibility as a nurse.
Improper medication logs could result in medication errors
Nursing documentation records everything that occurred during a shift related to the patient’s health status. It guides every healthcare professional caring for a patient as they take turns in shifts. The nursing documentation includes a medication log listing the medicines given to the patient. You play a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy of the medication log when you are the nurse in charge. You must ensure the right patient gets the right medicine at the right time and dosage. Otherwise, it could result in medication administration errors.
Medication administration errors pose significant risks to a patient’s health. The patient could experience side effects from missed or multiple doses of medication. Some patients might need further treatment or extend their hospital stay after a medication error. Other times, an error could result in permanent disability or even death.
Probable causes and consequences
There could be several reasons why you might have missed logging a patient’s medication. You could have been focusing on other clinical tasks or juggling different responsibilities, leading you to overlook the documentation. Nonetheless, it would be best to take accountability for this mistake as the nurse in charge. You could face disciplinary action, legal liability or license suspension or revocation.
Being involved in medication errors is an overwhelming experience. You could develop a trauma, making you lose confidence in your skills and knowledge as a nurse. Your credibility and career could also be put at risk. Even so, there are things you can do to address this challenge. Remember that you do not have to go through this alone. There are legal professionals who understand your situation and are ready to help you get back on your feet.
