An Evaluation of Drug Dosage Calculation Knowledge and Proficiency among Newly Hired Nurses in Private Tertiary Care Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Drug dosage calculation and administration is important function of nurses. The key professional role of nurses is to ensure safe drug dosage calculation while performing medication administration. Medication errors are a common cause of adverse events that may result due to wrong drug dosage calculation. The assessment of nurse's knowledge related to drug dosage calculation has not been conducted at the time of commencing their employment in the study hospital. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the drug dosage calculation knowledge and proficiency among our newly hired nurses before and after the training session. Method and design: Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach was selected using pre and post-test to assess the newly hired nurse's knowledge and proficiency related to drug dosage calculation. Data was collected after IRB approval at private tertiary hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan. Sample: Purposive sampling technique was adopted (n=135) all nurses on their commencement of employment from July 2016 to October 2016 participated in the study after the informed consent. Findings: The study results showed the significant improvement in drug dosage calculation knowledge and proficiency among the study participants while comparing pre-test and post-test results. Conclusion: The study concluded in the light of pre-test and post-test results that there is an intense need to review the nurse's drug dosage calculation knowledge and proficiency at the time of employment as nurses are key player in drug preparation and administration.

Evaluating nurses’ knowledge regarding dosage calculation at Civil Hospital, Karachi

“…The study had found that nurses' main problem in drug dosage calculation constituted giving post-operative analgesics without prescriptions (34.2%). The study further examined that multiple oral drugs' administration processes made nurses confused and they lacked proper calculation skills in this regard 5 . While in contradiction, a study conducted by the Medical Centre University of Malaysia revealed that staff nurses had a piece of average knowledge about I/V drug preparation and administration 12 .…”

“…It is argued that the staff nurses' medication calculation ability is vital and has been associated with quick & prompt recovery among patients. Therefore, registered nurses' good knowledge and skills are an important indicator of adherence to safety protocols 5 . This study was aimed to assess the staff nurse' knowledge and skills related to drug calculations.…”

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“…A recent study conducted in Norway showed nurses poor knowledge and highest mean risk of medication error calling the immediate attention as nurses regularly have complete responsibility for medication management and drug dosage calculation and administration (Simonsen, et al, 2014). current literature reports that there is evidence that deaths from medication errors have been on the rise (Aronson, 2009).…”

Clinical placement education during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic shapes new nurses: A qualitative study

“…(2022) , newly qualified nurses scored the lowest points on proficiency in discussing openly and solving problems. Transition challenges amongst newly qualified nurses might have profound consequences for the profession and patient care ( Sultana, 2017 ). Despite efforts to reduce this theory-practice gap by incorporating more clinical placement hours into nursing education ( Directive, 2013 ), many newly qualified nurses still experience unpreparedness after graduation ( Masso et al., 2022 ).…”