This week, you will identify a quality or safety issue pertinent to your future advanced nursing
practice role.
Include the following sections:
a. Identify ONE quality or safety issue that may be pertinent to your future advanced
nursing practice role.
b. Describe the scope and impact of the issue.
c. Discuss three possible roles advanced practice nurses may play in addressing the issue.
d. Explain why the issue is of interest to your future role.
Hello class and Professor,
One safety issue that is pertinent in the advanced nursing practice is medication errors.
Medication errors encompass mistakes ranging from prescribing errors, administration errors,
incorrect dosages, and more. A recent case of medication error is the RaDonda Vaught case in
which nurse Vaught gave the wrong medication to a patient ultimately causing the patient’s
death. Vaught was due to administer Versed before an MRI but accidentally administered
vecuronium which caused the patient to go into cardiac arrest. Vaught admitted that she was
training a new nurse and was holding a conversation while she drew up and administered the
medication. The hospital was also in the process of switching software companies which resulted
in failed safety barriers preventing the administration of said medication.
All medication errors are a cause of significant concern as they are preventable. Medical errors
can lead to adverse patient outcomes, prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and in
the Vaught case, death. This case truly highlighted the importance of reviewing all medication
rights which is checking for the right patient, medication, dose, time, route, documentation, and
response.
One role advanced practice nurses (APNs) can play in addressing medication errors is through
interprofessional collaboration. They can collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to review
current practices to identify potential areas of improvement. Although doctors prescribe
medications and the pharmacist has to verify that medications are appropriate, it is also the
nurse’s responsibility to keep up with current data. Just because the doctor and pharmacist
approved a medication does not mean that the medication or dosage is correct. It does not hurt to
question medication orders and double-check with the interdisciplinary team before
administering medications.
practice role.
Include the following sections:
a. Identify ONE quality or safety issue that may be pertinent to your future advanced
nursing practice role.
b. Describe the scope and impact of the issue.
c. Discuss three possible roles advanced practice nurses may play in addressing the issue.
d. Explain why the issue is of interest to your future role.
Hello class and Professor,
One safety issue that is pertinent in the advanced nursing practice is medication errors.
Medication errors encompass mistakes ranging from prescribing errors, administration errors,
incorrect dosages, and more. A recent case of medication error is the RaDonda Vaught case in
which nurse Vaught gave the wrong medication to a patient ultimately causing the patient’s
death. Vaught was due to administer Versed before an MRI but accidentally administered
vecuronium which caused the patient to go into cardiac arrest. Vaught admitted that she was
training a new nurse and was holding a conversation while she drew up and administered the
medication. The hospital was also in the process of switching software companies which resulted
in failed safety barriers preventing the administration of said medication.
All medication errors are a cause of significant concern as they are preventable. Medical errors
can lead to adverse patient outcomes, prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and in
the Vaught case, death. This case truly highlighted the importance of reviewing all medication
rights which is checking for the right patient, medication, dose, time, route, documentation, and
response.
One role advanced practice nurses (APNs) can play in addressing medication errors is through
interprofessional collaboration. They can collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to review
current practices to identify potential areas of improvement. Although doctors prescribe
medications and the pharmacist has to verify that medications are appropriate, it is also the
nurse’s responsibility to keep up with current data. Just because the doctor and pharmacist
approved a medication does not mean that the medication or dosage is correct. It does not hurt to
question medication orders and double-check with the interdisciplinary team before
administering medications.
