Flagging medical errors and near misses makes it possible to fix the problem that led to the mistake. The article displays how one hospital developed a system that works. It seems as though everyone's talking about the importance of reporting errors and near misses these days, but achieving that goal...
There is more to choosing drugs for the intensive care unit than cost. How effective a particular agent is may be even more important than how much it costs. Pharmaceuticals are not cheap, especially not in the ICU. Acquisition cost is only one factor that goes into the overall cost...
The inability to calculate therapeutic dosages for children accounts for the majority of pediatric drug errors. Most pediatric medication errors occur in the prescribing or ordering phase, usually dosing errors, followed by mistakes in administration of the drug. Because most medications are developed in concentrations for adults and do not...
This article highlights that the next generation of "Smart" IV pumps is getting smarter. The new systems that are in place are designed to guard more rigorously against errors of administration, dosing, drug interactions, and other issues. This software allows the hospital to preconfigure appropriate dosing limits for intravenous drugs....
A professional portfolio is simply a collection of materials that reflect an individual's work. A best-work portfolio provides evidence of the nurse's competencies and expertise. It can also be used as documentation for career ladder promotions, job applications, the human resources portion, specialty certification, and more. The article outlines that...
Hospitals are inherently stressful places, but no one should have to work in an abusive environment. When erratic behavior and the threat of physical violence become part of the clinical setting, staff RNs and nurse managers alike feel unsafe and uncomfortable, and everyone suffers. Though, equipping professionals with the skills...
