Improving the quality of medication administration practices in a tertiary Australian hospital: a best practice implementation project

Abstract

Introduction: Medication safety is an important health priority that focuses on preventing harm from medication-related events. Unsafe medication administration practices can lead to errors, which can cause avoidable injury (or harm) to patients. Objectives: This paper reports on an evidence implementation project conducted in a large tertiary hospital in Australia to improve nursing compliance with best practice recommendations for medication administration. Methods: The project was guided by JBI's seven-phase approach to evidence implementation, using audit and feedback and a structured framework to identify barriers, enablers, and implementation strategies. Results: The project resulted in improved compliance with best practice recommendations. This was achieved through multimodal strategies, including education, improved access to resources, and targeted feedback and discussion sessions to encourage culture and behavior change. Conclusions: The project improved nurses’ medication administration practices, specifically in performing independent second checks. Collaborative efforts of the project leads facilitated the review of medication administration policy and the development of staff education resources. Patient engagement remains an area for improvement, along with the potential need for further ongoing medication education. Spanish abstract: http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A237