How to deal with Nursing Errors? Nursing is a profession that deals with the most precious commodity – human life. As such, it is essential to demonstrate perfection in every aspect of work. But as a fresh graduate, it is quite possible for you to feel overwhelmed with the tremendous pressure from the work environment. You will often be rushed for time, leading to mistakes.
Irrespective of working with the best nursing agency, nurses are only human. Hence, it is common to commit mistakes. Mainly, erroneous circumstances arise during extended shifts, heavier workloads, and inexperience. Here are some common pitfalls and things you can do to avoid them in the future.
1. Medication Errors in Nursing
Medication errors in nursing often prove fatal to a patient’s condition. What are the common mistakes in this category? Administering the wrong medication, dispensing an incorrect dosage, or handing out prescriptions to the wrong patient are a few such mistakes you must never commit.
When it comes to medication, errors are not limited to the newbies alone. Even veteran nurses tend to overlook minor aspects to commit these blunders. So, what causes these mistakes to occur? Well, it is the simple ‘presence of mind’. You can ensure mindful patient care when there is a clear distinction between your personal and professional life. Avoid mixing the two at any cost. Here is what you can do:
- Administer the medicine to the right patient by using patient-specific identifiers.
- Verify for allergies and reactions before administering the medication.
- Ensure that critical conditions or diagnosis is highlighted
- Update the medication list according to the changing patterns of the patient’s condition
- Ensure accurate height and weight measurements.
2. Nursing Errors in Charting and Documentation
Documenting important data related to patient condition is a vital requirement of any nurse who wishes to work for a nursing agency. Nursing Errors in documentation can be a serious affair and may even lead to legal complications. Educate yourself about the gravity of the situation before being slack on patient records. Here are a few things to consider:
- Record information related to health and drugs
- Record any discontinued and current medications
- Make a note of the nursing actions performed
- Note how the patient’s condition changed
- Record any other information that is deemed to be necessary for patient care.
Remember, it is entirely acceptable to ask for help when you are unsure about a particular documenting routine.
3. Dealing with Infections
Infection is a common hazard while you are working in a hospital setting. As a nurse, it is your responsibility to provide superior patient care while minimizing the risk of complications that lead to infections. Hence, do not underestimate the need for good hygienic practices in your work environment.
Ensure to follow standard precautions, while adhering to cleaning and disinfecting techniques. Think about strategies for infection prevention and strive to have these strategies adopted by the entire hospital staff.
4. Overlooking Patient Care Routines
Patient routines involve special procedures that must be completed by the nurses. These may include documenting information regarding patient interactions, changing the sheets, or handling medical equipment. So, what is so grave about not changing the sheet?
Remember that this small task is delegated to the next nurse on duty who may already be burdened with multiple tasks. As such, other nursing professionals may not take kindly to this act. Hence, it is recommended to make a personal checklist of procedures you tend to overlook. You may even take a step ahead and offer your help to the nurse who had completed the process on your behalf.
5. Being A Know-It-All
As fresh graduates, it is common for nurses to be jubilant about their status of being a registered nurse. Nevertheless, remember that the nursing profession brings you something challenging every day. It is important to ask questions and not ridicule a piece of advice.
While textbook knowledge is essential, it is not all-prevailing. So, being overly-enthusiastic to prove your competence may not be appreciated by veteran nurses. Look for mentors who can guide you on nursing assignments. This action will also help to build trust, encourage teamwork, and deliver the best care to your patients.
6. Accidents Involving Patients
Often, patients fall accidentally while trying to accomplish tasks on their own. The trouble is, even the slightest fall can result in severe injuries and legal complications. It is possible to avoid such mistakes by regularly checking on patients who require greater attention.
Be it day or night; you must ensure that the patient’s essentials are within their reach, and they have no need to wander. It is also imperative to make patients understand that you are available for help. Make them feel welcomed and comfortable around you. This technique will also help you gain patient trust.
A nursing career gives you a myriad of opportunities to work with the best healthcare professionals and a variety of patient conditions. Your everyday duties are diverse and complex. As such, mistakes are inevitable. Learning about the steps to deal with such errors can enhance your reputation as an excellent agency nurse.
You may be interested in: A Nurse’s Guide to Staying Healthy During Cold and Flu Season
