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Medication administration by enrolled nurses: opinions of nurses in an Australian healthcare organization
journal contribution
posted on 2012-10-01, 00:00 authored by Debra KerrDebra Kerr, S Lu, D Mill, L McKinlayOBJECTIVE: This study examined the opinions of nurses about the introduction of enrolled nurse medication administration and analyzed its impact on the medication error rate. METHODS: Data were collected using a survey and examination of incident reports regarding nursing medication errors. Nurses (registered nurse, enrolled nurse with medication endorsement, enrolled nurse) responded to survey items regarding the introduction of enrolled nurse medication administration. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Fischer's exact test, and chi-square analysis where appropriate. RESULTS: The majority of nurses (75.2%) supported enrolled nurse medication administration. However, differences in opinion were observed between registered nurse (RN) and enrolled nurse with medication endorsement (ENME) regarding clear understanding of responsibility and accountability (RN: 47.2% vs. ENME: 77.8%; p =.033), and whether suitable education was provided (RN: 34.7% vs. ENME: 73.7%; p =.012). Moreover, less than one-third of RNs agreed that the assessment process for EN medication endorsement clearly identified the competence of the ENME to administer medications. Nonetheless, nursing medication errors did not increase in the 12-month period after the introduction of enrolled nurse medication administration (pre: 314, post: 302). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest areas that should be addressed in the future, including assessment of competence and focused education about accountability and responsibility.
History
Journal
Nursing forumVolume
47Issue
4Pagination
203 - 209Publisher
Wiley-BlackwellLocation
Hoboken, N.J.Publisher DOI
ISSN
0029-6473eISSN
1744-6198Language
engPublication classification
C Journal article; C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2012, Wiley PeriodicalsUsage metrics
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