Teaching Adults SAFE Medication Management

Abstract

One in nine visits to the emergency department is the result of a drug-related adverse event and is possibly preventable (Zed et al., 2008). The rehabilitation nurse has the opportunity to teach adults a comprehensive medication management plan that will help reduce medication errors. Most patients have minimal medication experience or instruction; this article documents the effectiveness of using a S = systematic, A = accurate, F = functional, and E = effective instructional methodology to help patients learn about their medications. The methodology helps rehabilitation nurses teach the average patient about handling, absorbing, and implementing the information. This article presents detailed instruction about the salient points of the SAFE instructional program. Several figures, a checklist, and pictures demonstrate the techniques utilized. Prevention of medication errors is emphasized throughout.

Medication Errors Outside Healthcare Facilities: A National Poison Centre Perspective

“…Healthcare professionals should provide patients with clear instructions and ascertain that the instructions are properly understood [30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37]. The issue of insufficient guidance by healthcare professionals is illustrated by our finding of OTC involvement in almost 50% of ME.…”

SAFE Medication Management for Patients With Physical Impairments of Stroke, Part Two

“…Rehabilitation nurses reinforce the instructions to the patient, and incorporate them into the care plan. For patients who have residual speech impairments there are devices available to assist and these can be individualized to their needs; most are quite costly (see appendix under communication section; also see • Request patient and caregiver to carry list of health information and medications (Adult Meducation, 2006;Aphasia, 2011;IlluminAge Communication Partners, 2008;Yetzer et al, 2011) Rehabilitation nurses evaluate each patient's impairments and are responsible to provide the tips, support, and skills to assist in the best plan of care. The challenge is to successfully instruct the patient and family in proper and safe measures to prevent medication errors and provide optimal care for recovery.…”

SAFE Medication Management for Patients with Physical Impairments of Stroke, Part One

“…The previous article, “Teaching Adults SAFE (Systematic, Accurate, Functional, Effective) Medication Management,” (Yetzer, Goetsch, & St. Paul, ) discussed teaching adults a comprehensive medication management plan to reduce medication errors. This article deals with teaching medication management to patients with physical impairments from stroke.…”

“…One role of the rehabilitation nurse described in a white paper by the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses is to provide education on medication administration (Camicia, et al, 2014). "Teaching Adults SAFE Medication Management" (Yetzer, et al, 2011) is a constructive guide that includes important educational topics and a Medication Management Checklist for documentation.…”